Gregory Laroche, Sr., a 52-year-old man from Lower Brule, South Dakota, stands accused of sexually abusing a woman who could not consent. Federal prosecutors say the assault occurred on November 14, 2017, when the victim was physically and mentally unable to resist or even understand what was happening. Laroche allegedly knew she was incapacitated—yet he proceeded anyway.
On February 14, 2018, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Laroche with Sexual Abuse of a Person Incapable of Consent. He appeared in court on February 23, 2018, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno, where he formally entered a plea of not guilty. The charge carries a maximum penalty of up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory minimum of five years of supervised release. He would also be required to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, with possible restitution ordered.
According to the indictment, Laroche knowingly engaged in—and attempted to engage in—a sexual act with a female victim who was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct. She was physically unable to decline participation or communicate her unwillingness, and the government alleges Laroche was aware of her condition at the time. No additional details about the victim or the circumstances have been released by authorities.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency, reflecting the complex jurisdictional terrain of federal crimes on tribal lands. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley, who is pushing for accountability under federal sex crime statutes designed to protect vulnerable individuals.
Laroche was released on bond following his court appearance. No trial date has been scheduled, leaving the community in uneasy anticipation. The case underscores ongoing concerns about safety and justice in remote reservations where law enforcement resources are often stretched thin.
The charge against Gregory Laroche, Sr. is merely an accusation. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As the federal case moves forward, questions remain about how such incidents are reported, investigated, and ultimately adjudicated on Native American lands.
Related Federal Cases
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- Benton Rowland Indicted for Child Sexual Abuse on Pine Ridge · South Dakota
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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