Lower Brule Man Charged with Sexual Abuse

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse of a Person Incapable of Consent.

Gregory Laroche, Sr., age 52, was indicted on February 14, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 23, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that on November 14, 2017, Laroche knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a female victim, who at the time was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct and was physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating her unwillingness to engage in the sexual act, and Laroche knew she was incapacitated.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

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