Pine Ridge Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact

A 22-year-old man from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 14 months in custody for engaging in abusive sexual contact with a minor. Archie Backward, 22, was found guilty of the crime and was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court, on December 16, 2013.

The crime occurred on November 6, 2012, at Pine Ridge and involved sexual contact with a minor female. Backward pleaded guilty to the charge on August 26, 2013.

Backward was sentenced to 14 months in custody and 5 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Archie Backward’s sentence is a reminder that those who engage in abusive sexual contact with minors will face serious consequences. The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes these types of cases very seriously and will continue to work to protect the victims of these crimes.

The case highlights the importance of community involvement in preventing and reporting these types of crimes. The Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Indian Affairs worked together to investigate and bring this case to justice.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the citizens of South Dakota and ensuring that those who commit crimes are held accountable. This case is a testament to that commitment.

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