Jason Poorman Indicted for Child Sexual Abuse in St. Francis

Jason Poorman, a 40-year-old man from St. Francis, South Dakota, stands accused of one of the most heinous crimes under federal law: Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child. A federal grand jury returned the indictment on November 9, 2016, marking the beginning of a grim legal battle over acts alleged to have occurred more than a decade ago in the quiet community of Parmalee.

The charges allege that between March 19, 2004, and May 6, 2005, Poorman knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a child who had not yet reached the age of 12. The crime, if proven, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, any term of years up to life of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The court may also order restitution.

Poorman appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on November 22, 2016, where he entered a plea of not guilty. Despite the plea, the weight of the allegations has already cast a long shadow over the case. He was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, with no bond set as of this report.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, underscoring the cross-jurisdictional nature of the crime and the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating the case. The collaboration highlights ongoing challenges in addressing violent crime within tribal jurisdictions.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie G. Sanderson is leading the prosecution. Her office will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Poorman committed the sexual act as alleged. No trial date has been set, leaving victims, families, and the community in limbo.

It is important to note that the indictment is merely an accusation. Jason Poorman is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the case as developments unfold in this deeply disturbing federal prosecution.