Lake Andes Man Charged in Two Indictments with Sexual Abuse of Two Children Appears in Federal Court

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Lake Andes, South Dakota, man has been charged in two separate indictments by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child, and Felony Child Abuse and Neglect.

Wendell Clark Archambeau, Jr., age 36, was indicted on July 6, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy and pled not guilty to the Indictments.

For each of the sexual abuse charges, the maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life imprisonment, 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. Because the felony child abuse and neglect charges involve victims who were different ages, the maximum penalty is 10 years in one case and 15 years in the other.

According to the first Indictment, between the winter and spring months of 2016, Archambeau engaged in a sexual act with a child under twelve years old. He also engaged in abusing the same child.

According to the second indictment, Archambeau engaged in two instances of sexual contact with a child under twelve years old. This conduct took place in 2013. He also engaged in abusing the same child.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Yankton Sioux Tribe’s Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.

Archambeau was ordered detained pending trial. A trial date relating to the first indictment has been set for August 1, 2017. A trial date regarding the second indictment has been set for September 12, 2017.