Fort Thompson Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Abusive Sexual Contact

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Abusive Sexual Contact.

Roland Hawk, Sr., age 50, was indicted on April 9, 2019.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 16, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on August 16, November 1, and November 30, 2018, Hawk knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with an individual by the use of force. The Indictment further alleges that between August 1, and December 31, 2018, Hawk knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in sexual contact with the individual to abuse, humiliate, and degrade that person, or to arouse and gratify his own sexual desire without consent of the individual.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Hawk was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.