Carl Francis Martin, Aggravated Sexual Abuse, South Dakota 2020

Pine Ridge Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor

A 20-year-old Pine Ridge man has been charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, a crime that could land him in prison for life. Carl Francis Martin, a/k/a Roy Martin, was indicted by a federal grand jury and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann, pleading not guilty to the charges.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is any term of imprisonment up to life in a federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Martin sexually abusing a female by force and at a time when she was incapable of declining participation in a sexual act, in January 2020 near Pine Ridge. Martin also sexually abused a minor, who was between the ages of 12 and 16, in September 2019 near Pine Ridge.

The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama is prosecuting the case.

Martin was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for November 10, 2020.

The charges are merely accusations and Martin is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Martin's case is a stark reminder of the serious nature of sexual abuse crimes and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. As our community continues to grapple with the aftermath of these crimes, we must remain vigilant in our pursuit of justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/pine-ridge-man-charged-aggravated-sexual-abuse-minor