GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: A jury in Rapid City delivered a stunning verdict on April 13, 2017, when they acquitted Ryan Bissonette of Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force and Sexual Abuse charges. The 35-year-old Pine Ridge man had been facing charges stemming from an alleged incident that occurred four years prior on August 8, 2013.
Bissonette was accused of forcing himself upon a female who was incapable of giving consent, using his hands and fingers to penetrate her genital opening. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 17, 2014, after the incident that shocked the community near Pine Ridge.
The investigation into this heinous crime was a joint effort by multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. The U.S. Attorney’s Office then took over the prosecution of the case with a relentless pursuit of justice.
During the trial, the defense presented evidence that cast serious doubt on the allegations against Bissonette. It was this compelling evidence that led the jury to deliver the not-guilty verdict, leaving many to question the original charges and investigation into the incident.
The acquittal has sparked a heated debate in the community about the fairness of the justice system and how it handles such serious crimes. As the dust settles following this high-profile case, it remains clear that the outcome will not be easily forgotten by those involved.
For now, Ryan Bissonette walks free after being cleared of all charges by a federal jury. The story of his trial and acquittal serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in sexual abuse cases and the weighty responsibility placed on juries to determine guilt or innocence.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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