A 25-year-old Agency Village man has been sentenced to 50 months in federal prison for the sexual abuse of a minor, in a case rooted in months of predatory conduct. Sylanus Flute’s conviction, handed down by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on May 20, 2019, marks the end of a grim chapter for a victim who endured nonconsensual sexual acts at the hands of a man more than six years her senior.
Flute admitted through court documents to engaging in sexual acts with a juvenile female under the age of 16 between February and April of 2017. At the time, Flute was over 22 years old, placing the crime under federal jurisdiction due to the age gap and the victim’s status as a minor. The acts were confirmed as nonconsensual, intensifying the severity of the charges under federal law.
In addition to his 50-month prison term, Flute will face five years of supervised release upon completion of his sentence. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund—a small but symbolic restitution in a case defined by irreversible harm.
The investigation that led to Flute’s arrest was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe’s Law Enforcement. The collaboration underscores the complex jurisdictional realities on tribal lands, where federal authorities often step in to prosecute violent crimes involving minors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri handled the prosecution, building a case that left little room for dispute. Flute’s conviction relied heavily on forensic timelines and victim testimony, which painted a consistent and damning picture of abuse over a three-month span.
Following sentencing, Flute was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, beginning his term immediately. The case serves as a stark reminder of the federal government’s reach in protecting vulnerable minors, especially in isolated communities where such crimes might otherwise go unaddressed.
Related Federal Cases
- Sylanus Flute Charged with Child Sexual Abuse in South Dakota · South Dakota
- Okreek Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of Minor · South Dakota
- Matthew Peneaux Charged with Sexual Abuse of Minor in Mission · South Dakota
- La Plant Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse of Minor · South Dakota
- Rosebud Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Minor · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes