Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Todd County, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon Against a Minor, Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Commission of a Sex Offense Against a Minor While Required to Register as a Sex Offender, Commission of a Crime of Violence While Failing to Register as a Sex Offender, and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Alton Bear Heels, age 29, was indicted on June 8, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 11, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between on or about April 4, 2021, and on or about April 5, 2021, in Todd County, Bear Heels knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a minor who had attained the age of 12 years but had not attained the age of 16 years by the use of force and by threat of death and serious bodily injury. The indictment also alleges that between on or about April 3, 2021, and April 5, 2021, Bear Heels assaulted the minor with dangerous weapons, specifically a metal bar, a knife, a collapsible baton, and a bat, with the intent to bodily harm.
The indictment further alleges that, at the time of the above described conduct, Bear Heels was a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act by virtue of a conviction under Indian tribal law, and that he knowingly failed to register and update his registration.
The charges are merely accusations and Bear Heels is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Bear Heels was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
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