Deserick Jake Bird, Abusive Sexual Contact, South Dakota 2024

A Watertown man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually abusing a minor child, according to officials.

U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann handed down the sentence to Deserick Jake Bird, 37, on November 4, 2024, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, following his conviction for Abusive Sexual Contact. Bird was also ordered to pay a $200 statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, in addition to serving an 80-year sentence for a sexual assault conviction from the State of South Dakota.

The defendant was originally indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child by a federal grand jury in February 2022. However, he pleaded guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact on August 19, 2024, after an investigation revealed that over a three-year period, Bird had sexually assaulted a young girl between the ages of 8 and 11. A second victim also came forward to report that Bird had sexually assaulted her when she was 14 years old.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project, led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Law Enforcement.

The sentencing of Deserick Jake Bird serves as a harsh reminder of the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. As the nation continues to grapple with the epidemic of child sexual exploitation, it is crucial that we prioritize the safety and well-being of our children and support efforts to prevent and prosecute these heinous crimes.

The investigation and prosecution of Deserick Jake Bird’s crimes are a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who work tirelessly to bring justice to victims of child sexual abuse. This case is a stark reminder that child predators will be held accountable for their actions and that the law will be enforced to protect our most vulnerable members of society.

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