Wounded Knee Predator Gets 30 Years for Child Abuse

RAPID CITY, SD – Anfernee Rondeau, 28, of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, will spend the next three decades in federal prison after being convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor. U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler handed down the 30-year sentence on August 18, 2025, followed by five years of supervised release and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The case, brought before a federal grand jury in October 2024, culminated in a jury trial this past May, where damning evidence painted a horrific picture of Rondeau’s actions. The incident unfolded on the evening of April 4, 2024, after Rondeau, his girlfriend, and her six-year-old daughter returned home heavily intoxicated. All three retreated to a bedroom, and soon after, the screams began.

A 13-year-old witness, displaying extraordinary courage, heard the child crying and immediately investigated. What she discovered was sickening: Rondeau on top of the child, his pants partially unzipped and pulled down, and the child similarly exposed. Without hesitation, the teen intervened, physically pushing Rondeau off the victim. She then shielded the traumatized child with a blanket and carried her to safety within the home, a heroic act that undoubtedly prevented further harm.

Law enforcement with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety responded swiftly to the scene and placed Rondeau under arrest. The prosecution of this case fell under federal jurisdiction due to the Major Crimes Act, a statute requiring that certain violent crimes occurring within Indian country be handled by federal courts, not state authorities. This isn’t about bureaucracy; it’s about ensuring these cases receive the full weight of federal resources and scrutiny.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen skillfully presented the evidence, securing the conviction and ultimately, the lengthy sentence. The investigation was a joint effort between the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI, highlighting the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling these heinous crimes. Rondeau was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the predators lurking in communities and the devastating impact of sexual abuse on vulnerable children. While a 30-year sentence doesn’t undo the trauma inflicted, it removes a dangerous individual from society and sends a clear message: such acts will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the aftermath for the victim and her family, if appropriate.