Wakpala Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Lyle Baker, Sr., age 53, of Wakpala, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on June 20, 2012, and pled guilty to a Superseding Indictment that charged him with Sexual Abuse. The maximum penalty upon conviction of is up to life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The conviction arose from a May 2011 incident in which Baker assaulted a young woman in Wakpala, South Dakota.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for September 17, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.