Todd County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Sex Crimes

A Todd County, South Dakota, man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in the sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Derek Sharpfish, 33, was sentenced on April 15, 2024, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, following his guilty plea on January 2, 2024. Sharpfish was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact, charges that stem from his conduct involving two different victims on the Rosebud Indian Reservation between October 2020 and January 2023.

On multiple instances during that period, Sharpfish engaged in sexual intercourse with a minor female who was between the ages of 13 and 15-years-old, according to court documents. On one occasion, he groped an adult female while she was sleeping.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. The initiative marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.

The case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuting the case. Sharpfish was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after his sentencing.

Sharpfish was ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund as part of his sentence. The Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandated that the case be prosecuted in federal court due to the violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative aims to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child sex crimes and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. As the investigation and prosecution of such cases continue, the Grimy Times will provide updates and analysis of the issues at play.

Sharpfish’s 20-year sentence is a significant blow to those who would seek to exploit and harm children. It is a testament to the tireless work of law enforcement and prosecutors who work to bring justice to victims and their families.

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