McLaughlin Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor was sentenced on November 2, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Patrick Red Legs, age 21, was sentenced to 24 months in custody, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Red Legs was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 14, 2014.  He pled guilty on November 3, 2014.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on June 12, 2014, when an officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) responded to a call for assistance at a house in Little Eagle.  Upon arrival, the officer made contact with another BIA officer and the 13-year-old victim, who reported that Red Legs had recently asked her to go drinking with him.  The victim had agreed and they began to drink and playfully push each other, at which time Red Legs grabbed her and began to kiss her.  The victim tried to push him away, but could not.  Later in the evening, the victim was lying on a bed and Red Legs was sitting beside her.  He started to kiss her again and began to rub her body.  After a short amount of time, Red Legs placed his hands inside the victim’s leggings and underwear.  

This case was investigated by the BIA, Standing Rock Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Red Legs was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.