Fort Thompson Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Minor

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

Dawson Donner, age 22, was indicted on September 9, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 5, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years and up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that in February 2020, in Buffalo County on the Crow Creek Reservation, Donner knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual acts with two minor victims who had not attained the age of 16.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

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