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Press Release

Pukwana Man Charged with Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pukwana, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child.

Michael Dean Johnson, age 27, was indicted on November 13, 2019.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 15, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that between January 2015 and January 2017, Johnson knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in sexual contact with a child who had not attained the age of 12.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.    

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

Updated November 23, 2019