Menominee Man Charged with Sex Offenses for Separate Incidents on the Menominee Indian Reservation

Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that a federal grand jury returned two separate indictments against Peter S. Awonohopay (Age: 37), charging him with sexual assaults on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Awonohopay, an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, resided in Keshena, which is on the Reservation.

The first indictment, returned on November 19, 2019, charged Awonohopay with Abusive Sexual Contact, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2244(b) and 1153(a). If convicted, Awonohopay faces a maximum of four years in prison; a fine of up to $250,000; from five years to life on supervised release; and a $100 special assessment.  According to the November 19, 2019, indictment, on or about June 17, 2019, Awonohopay engaged in nonconsensual sexual contact with a female.

The second indictment, returned on December 3, 2019, charged Awonohopay with two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2243(c) and 1153. If convicted of the offenses in this indictment, on each count Awonohopay faces mandatory minimum sentences of ten years and up to 30 years in prison; a fine of up to $250,000; from five years to life on supervised release; and a $100 special assessment.  According to the December 3, 2019, indictment, on two occasions in 2018 Awonohopay engaged in sex acts with a minor female who had attained the age of 12 years but was not yet 16 years of age.

The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the cases, with assistance from Willow Tree Cornerstone Child Advocacy Center in Green Bay. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier will prosecute the cases.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent, and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

For Additional Information Contact:

Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700

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