Wakpala Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Wakpala, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Fabian Carlo Rodriguez, age 30, was indicted on November 9, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 15, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

Rodriguez was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in November 2014.  As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender.  It is alleged that between February 6, 2021, and July 28, 2021, Rodriguez, 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 Rodriguez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

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