Sylanus Flute, 23, of Agency Village, South Dakota, stands accused of one of the most heinous crimes under federal law: aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Indicted on February 6, 2018, by a federal grand jury, Flute is charged with sexually assaulting a juvenile female between February and April of 2017 — using force to carry out the attack.
On February 13, 2018, Flute appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes, where he formally entered a plea of not guilty. Despite his denial, the weight of the allegations carries a potential life sentence. If convicted, Flute faces up to life in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, mandatory supervised release of 5 years to life, and a $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The court may also impose restitution.
According to the federal indictment, the abuse was not incidental — it was predatory. Prosecutors allege Flute used physical force to engage in sexual acts with the minor victim, a detail that elevates the charge to the most severe category under federal child protection statutes. The acts are said to have occurred over a three-month span, painting a picture of prolonged victimization.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in coordination with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe’s Law Enforcement, highlighting the cross-jurisdictional nature of crimes committed on tribal lands. The collaboration underscores the federal government’s intensified scrutiny of violent offenses in Indian Country, where jurisdictional complexities often hinder justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case, which remains ongoing. Flute was ordered detained without bond, reflecting the court’s assessment of him as a flight risk and danger to the community. He remains in federal custody awaiting trial.
A trial date has been set for April 17, 2018. The charges against Sylanus Flute are presumed false until proven in a court of law. But the indictment itself signals a grim reckoning — one that could deliver a life behind bars if the jury finds the evidence irrefutable.
Related Federal Cases
- Sylanus Flute Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of Minor · South Dakota
- Jason Poorman Indicted for Child Sexual Abuse in St. Francis · South Dakota
- Benton Rowland Indicted for Child Sexual Abuse on Pine Ridge · South Dakota
- Jeremiah Jay Swalley Sentenced for Child Sexual Abuse · South Dakota
- Kimo Little Bird Sr. Guilty of Child Sexual Abuse, Witness Tampering · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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