United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Chamberlain, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.

James Blue, Jr., a/k/a “BJ”, age 37, was indicted on March 13, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 29, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $500,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on multiple occasions between 2011 and 2015, Blue knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual acts with two separate victims who has not attained the age of 12.

The charges are merely accusations and Blue is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

Blue was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.