Lower Brule Man Pleads Guilty To Abusive Sexual Contact Of A Minor

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Richard Johnson, age 49, of Lower Brule, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on August 19, 2013, and pled guilty to the Indictment that charged him with Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is any term of years up to life of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both; a mandatory minimum term of 5 years of supervised release and an additional 5 years of supervised release upon revocation; and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered. 

The charge stems from an incident that happened between April 30, 2012 and August 19, 2012, when the victim, who had not attained the age of 12 years, was living in a relative’s home in West Brule, South Dakota.  The victim was in bed one night wearing a nightgown, and Johnson knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual contact with the victim.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. 

Johnson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing which has been set for November 5, 2013.