Virgil Running Bear, Failure to Register as Sex Offender, South Dakota 2019

Sex Offender Fails to Register, Sentenced to Prison Time

In a shocking case of failure to register as a sex offender, Virgil Running Bear, 46, was sentenced to 24 months of federal custody and 5 years of supervised release, as well as $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

According to court documents, Running Bear was convicted of Sexual Abuse in the District of North Dakota on October 31, 2005. This conviction requires him to register as a sex offender for life.

However, since on or about December 25, 2017, Running Bear's whereabouts were unknown until his arrest in Winner, South Dakota. His last known address was at a hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota, but that residence was vacated with no sign of Running Bear since December 25, 2017.

At the time of his arrest, he had absconded from the supervision of the United States Probation Office, as he has been serving a term of supervised release. Running Bear was found in the Winner, South Dakota, area using a fake name and residing at a house that had not been listed in an update to his sex offender registry.

Running Bear knew of the requirement to update his sex offender registration, but he knowingly failed to do so. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Defendant: Virgil Running Bear

Crime: Failure to Register as Sex Offender

City and State: Rapid City, South Dakota

Exact Date: September 9, 2019 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome: 24 months of federal custody and 5 years of supervised release, $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund

Dollar Amounts: $100

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/sex-offender-sentenced-24-months-imprisonment-failing-register