Sisseton Man Indicted in Brutal Assault & Sexual Abuse

Sisseton, SD – Joshua John Max, 35, of Sisseton, South Dakota, stands accused of a horrific attack on an intimate partner, facing federal charges of aggravated sexual abuse and assault by strangulation or suffocation. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury on February 5, 2019, details a brutal incident allegedly occurring on or about April 25, 2015.

According to the indictment, Max knowingly engaged, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act utilizing force, threats, and instilling fear of death and serious bodily injury. He is also accused of unlawfully assaulting his partner by strangling and suffocating her – a particularly vicious form of domestic violence that often leaves lasting trauma, or worse.

Max appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William Gerdes on May 13, 2019, and entered a plea of not guilty. However, the evidence, as presented to the grand jury, paints a disturbing picture. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Ron Parsons, is taking this case seriously, signaling a commitment to prosecuting those who perpetrate such violence within the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe and beyond.

If convicted on each count, Max faces a staggering potential sentence: up to life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. Beyond that, the indictment mandates a minimum of five years, potentially extending to a lifetime, of supervised release. Additional financial penalties include a $100 special assessment for the victim/witness fund and a $5,000 assessment to the domestic trafficking fund. Restitution to the victim may also be ordered by the court.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe’s Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is leading the prosecution. Max remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, awaiting a trial date set for June 25, 2019. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds. The details of this alleged assault underscore the pervasive issue of domestic violence and sexual abuse, particularly within vulnerable communities. We will provide updates as they become available, holding those accused of these crimes accountable for their actions.

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