A Fort Thompson man faces life in prison after being indicted on federal charges of Aggravated Sexual Abuse. Darrell Touche, 43, was named in a grand jury indictment returned on February 14, 2018, charging him with using force to cause a female victim to engage in a sexual act over a 24-hour period in October 2016.
The indictment, announced by United States Attorney Ron Parsons, alleges that between October 20 and October 21, 2016, Touche knowingly caused and attempted to cause the victim to submit through physical force. The crime occurred within the jurisdiction of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, triggering federal jurisdiction.
Touche appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 22, 2018, where he formally entered a plea of not guilty. Despite his plea, prosecutors stress the severity of the charges, which carry a maximum penalty of up to life in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. He also faces up to life of supervised release and a mandatory $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Authorities have not released the victim’s identity, but the nature of the assault—allegedly carried out through physical coercion—has sparked concern in the Fort Thompson community. The case underscores the federal government’s ongoing role in prosecuting violent crimes in Indian Country, where local law enforcement often works in tandem with federal agencies.
The investigation was led by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency, with assistance from tribal authorities. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley, a veteran in handling violent sex crimes in federal court.
Touche was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his arraignment. No trial date has been scheduled. The indictment is presumed to be accurate only in accusation—the defendant is innocent until proven guilty under federal law.
RELATED: Bust: 101 Violent Criminals Nabbed in Mo. Operation
RELATED: Hernandez Faces Federal Drug Charges in Utah
Related Federal Cases
- South Dakota Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Distribution · Utah
- Harlan Two Eagle Indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse · South Dakota
- Jason Poorman Indicted for Child Sexual Abuse in St. Francis · South Dakota
- Benton Rowland Indicted for Child Sexual Abuse on Pine Ridge · South Dakota
- Fort Thompson Man Jailed for Dodging Sex Offender Registration · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More