Batesland Man Sentenced For Two Charges Of Abusive Sexual Contact

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Batesland, South Dakota, man convicted of two charges of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced on January 23, 2014, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

George American Horse, age 62, was sentenced to 72 months in custody for one charge and 48 months for the other charge, for a total of 120 months (10 years), 5 years of supervised release on each count to run concurrently, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

American Horse pled guilty to the charges on September 26, 2013.  The charges relate to incidents that happened between 2009 and 2012 near Batesland, when American Horse engaged in sexual contact with a child who had not attained the age of 12.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

American Horse was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.