Burton Wayne Rainbow Jr. Charged with Sexual Abuse of Juvenile

Burton Wayne Rainbow Jr., a 34-year-old man from Marty, South Dakota, stands accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile female in August 2015, federal records reveal. Indicted on February 7, 2017, by a federal grand jury, Rainbow allegedly used fear to coerce the young victim into a sexual act—a crime that carries the gravest of federal penalties.

Rainbow appeared in federal court on February 10, 2017, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica Duffy, where he formally entered a plea of not guilty. Despite his plea, the charges paint a harrowing picture: the indictment alleges he manipulated and intimidated a child, exploiting power and fear to commit the assault—an act that, if proven, could land him behind bars for life.

Upon conviction, Burton Wayne Rainbow Jr. could face up to life in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. The court may also impose 5 years to life of supervised release, a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution to the victim. These penalties reflect the severity with which federal law treats crimes against children.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in coordination with the Yankton Sioux Tribe’s Law Enforcement—a collaboration underscoring the case’s jurisdictional complexity and the gravity of the accusations in tribal and federal territory. Authorities have released no further details about the victim or the circumstances of the assault, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case, which remains under federal jurisdiction. At his initial hearing, Rainbow was ordered detained without bond, deemed a flight risk and danger to the community. He remains in federal custody awaiting trial.

A jury trial is scheduled for April 18, 2017, in U.S. District Court. The indictment is presumed to be merely an accusation under federal law, and Burton Wayne Rainbow Jr. is legally presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The courtroom showdown looms as a stark confrontation over power, justice, and the protection of the vulnerable.