72-Year-Old Pine Ridge Man Sentenced for Child Abuse

Shocked residents of Pine Ridge, South Dakota are reeling from the news that a 72-year-old man has been sentenced for a heinous act of child abuse. Joseph Clifford, the despicable defendant in this case, was handed down a sentence by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on December 12, 2016.

Clifford, a resident of Pine Ridge, was found guilty of felony child abuse and neglect for his actions between December 2011 and February 2014. The victim, a child under the age of seven, suffered unimaginable harm at the hands of Clifford during this period.

In a stunning display of justice, Judge Viken sentenced Clifford to one year of unsupervised probation, along with an order to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. This sentence sends a clear message that such heinous acts will not be tolerated in our communities.

The investigation into Clifford’s actions was handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, demonstrating the dedication and hard work of federal law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case with determination and professionalism.

As this grim chapter closes, the community of Pine Ridge mourns the loss of innocence suffered by the young victim. It is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting our most vulnerable citizens from such monstrous acts.

The sentence of Joseph Clifford stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice for child abuse victims and serves as a warning to those who would seek to harm the innocent among us.