Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Abusive Sexual Contact
Aberdeen, SD – On May 20, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann sentenced Benjamin Eagle, age 62, to 10 years in federal prison for Abusive Sexual Contact. Eagle was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
According to court documents, in August 2022, Eagle used force to engage in sexual contact with a 9-year-old child at a residence in McLaughlin, within the Standing Rock Reservation. The child later disclosed the abuse at a child advocacy center in Bismarck, North Dakota. Eagle admitted to the abuse and acknowledged the wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the offense.
Eagle was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2023 and pleaded guilty on November 20, 2023. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case because the Major Crimes Act mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case. Eagle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
In total, Eagle will serve 10 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. The $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund is also part of the sentence.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of the Major Crimes Act and Project Safe Childhood in protecting children from abuse and exploitation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators like Benjamin Eagle to justice.
The U.S. Marshals Service will ensure that Eagle serves his sentence in a federal prison.
Related Federal Cases
- Benjamin Eagle, Abusive Sexual Contact, South Dakota 2022 · South Dakota
- James Doe, Abusive Sexual Contact, South Dakota 2023 · South Dakota
- Sky Walker Lawrence, Abusive Sexual Contact, South Dakota 2023 · South Dakota
- Randy Never Misses A Shot, Abusive Sexual Contact, South Dakota 2012 · South Dakota
- Ta-Sunka-Hinz Thunder Hawk, Abusive Sexual Contact, South Dakota 2013 · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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