St. Francis Man Charged With Sexual Abuse

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse.

Joseph R. Blue Bird, age 26, was indicted on September 19, 2012, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 19, 2013 and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is any term of years up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both; a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to life of supervised release and an additional mandatory minimum of 5 years up to life of supervised release upon revocation. Restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund may also be ordered.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.

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