Parmelee Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Parmelee, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse.

Justis Running Bear, age 23, was indicted on October 13, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 22, 2021, 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, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on May 9, 2018, and March 28, 2021, in Mission, South Dakota, Running Bear knowingly engaged in a sexual act with the victim and that the victim was incapable of declining participation in the sexual act.

The charges are merely accusations and Running Bear 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 Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.

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