Mission Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact and Failure to Appear

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact and Failure to Appear was sentenced on June 15, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Joseph Running, age 25, was sentenced to a total of 50 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Running was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 14, 2018.  He pled guilty on March 24, 2020.

The conviction for Abusive Sexual Contact stemmed from an incident that occurred on September 10, 2017, in Parmelee, South Dakota.  On that date, Running was consuming alcoholic beverages and socializing with a group of individuals that included the victim.  The victim subsequently went to sleep on a bed.  She awoke some time later to find Running was sexually assaulting her.

Following his Indictment, the Defendant was released on bond.  He subsequently did not appear for the jury trial in his case and was charged with Failure to Appear.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the United States Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

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