Little Eagle Man Pleads Guilty To Child Abuse Charge

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Tyson J. Keepseagle, age 26, of Little Eagle, South Dakota appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on May 20, 2013 and pled guilty to Count I of the Indictment that charged him with Child Abuse.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years’ custody, a $250,000 fine or both, and a period of supervised release of 3 years. There is a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and restitution may also be ordered.

The conviction stems from an incident on or around March 2, 2012 when Keepseagle was living with the victim’s mother in Little Eagle. Keepseagle was downstairs with the children, and when the victim’s mother went downstairs she saw Keepseagle holding down the victim, one hand covering her mouth and his other hand containing a fist full of the child’s hair. The victim’s mother immediately leapt on Keepseagle to get him off the victim, and Keepseagle then pinned the victim’s mother on the ground and began punching her.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for September 9, 2013. The Defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.