Rapid City Man Indicted for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Rapid City man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for failing to update his sex offender registration.

Benjamin Godfrey Chipps, Jr., age 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 17, 2011, for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. He appeared before US Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 23, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Chipps is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the US Marshal's Service. Assistant US Attorney Robert A. Mandel is prosecuting the case. Chipps was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.