United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced on February 14, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Benjamin Joseph Grassrope, age 33, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison, followed by seven years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.
Grassrope was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 14, 2021. He pled guilty on November 18, 2021.
The convictions stem from an incident that occurred between May 9, 2008, and May 9, 2009, in Lower Brule, wherein an 11-year-old victim awoke to Grassrope inappropriately touching her on her breasts and groin. Further, between May 1, 2012, and August 31, 2012, in Lower Brule, Grassrope inappropriately touched a 12-year-old girl on the breasts and groin.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Grassrope was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.