Rosebud Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact and Assault

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury was sentenced on April 18, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Benton Brave Hawk, age 25, was sentenced to 15 years in custody, 5 years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Brave Hawk was indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Child Abuse by a federal grand jury on August 11, 2015.  He pled guilty to a Superseding Information charging Abusive Sexual Contact and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury on February 1, 2016.

Between December 1, 2014, and March 28, 2015, Brave Hawk watched two children overnight at their home in Rosebud.  Brave Hawk was the only adult present.  At some point in the night, Brave Hawk went to the bed where the siblings were sleeping and climbed on top of the female child.  Brave Hawk held his hand over the female child’s mouth and proceeded to have abusive sexual contact with the child.  The male child awoke to the female child’s crying and grabbing onto his arm.  Brave Hawk put money on the bed, and told the female child not to tell anyone.

Between December 1, 2014, and March 28, 2015, while at the same home in Rosebud, Brave Hawk hit the male child across his back and buttocks with a belt.  The belt had a metal buckle and the metal buckle made contact with the child's skin.  Brave Hawk's willful and reckless actions caused substantial bodily injury to the child.

This case was investigated by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie G. Sanderson prosecuted the case.

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