United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a White River, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse.
Justin Moreno, age 33, was indicted on May 10, 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 5, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on January 2, 2022, in Mellette County, South Dakota, Moreno caused the victim to engage in a sexual act by the use of force.
The charge is merely an accusation and Moreno 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.
Moreno was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.