Rapid City Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Richard Peneaux, age 26, was indicted on February 11, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 19, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

Peneaux was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in March of 2014.  As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender.  It is alleged between December 22, 2019, and January 7, 2020, Peneaux, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore is prosecuting the case.   

Peneaux was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.