Mission Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Keith Sun Bear, age 37, of Mission, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on July 2, 2012, and pled guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Sun Bear was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor on or about June 17, 2002. The Court sentenced Sun Bear to 24 months’ imprisonment and also ordered that he must register as a sex offender. On March 18, 2012, Sun Bear absconded from supervision of the Court and failed to register as a sex offender while he lived elsewhere, including residing on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. He did not register as a sex offender from approximately March 18, 2012, to the time of his arrest in May 2012.

The investigation is being conducted by the United States Marshal's Service and Rosebud Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for August 29, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.