United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Little Eagle, South Dakota, man convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, Felony Sex Offense Against a Minor While Required to Register as a Sex Offender, and Tampering with a Witness, was sentenced on May 23, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Kimo John Little Bird, Sr., age 40, was sentenced to life in federal prison on the Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child conviction. An additional consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison was imposed for the Felony Sex Offense Against a Minor While Required to Register as a Sex Offender. Five years in prison was imposed for the witness tampering count, to be served concurrently to the other counts. The Court also imposed a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $300.
Little Bird was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2020. He was found guilty by a jury on November 18, 2021.
Little Bird was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in September 2006. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. In 2016, Little Bird sexually abused an 11-year-old girl with whom he was residing. Prior to trial, Little Bird contacted multiple potential witnesses in an effort to manipulate and corruptly persuade the girl to recant her statement.
“The criminal actions by this defendant were egregious. The federal penalties for child sexual abuse offenses are severe for a reason, and the district court’s sentence ensures that this defendant will never again have the opportunity to victimize children or otherwise harass vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsdell.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services – Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jay Miller and Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Little Bird was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.