Eagle Butte Man Charged With Sexual Contact With A Minor

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Contact with a Minor.

John Earl Miner, age 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 15, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 22, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 2 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, at least 5 years and up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on June 17, 2014, in Dupree, South Dakota, Miner engaged in, or attempted to engage in, sexual contact with a minor.

The charge is merely an accusation and Miner is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case.   

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