United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Kenel, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force, Assault of an Intimate Partner by Strangulation and Suffocation, and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner.
Rodd Rankeen Rough Surface, age 45, was indicted in August of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 7, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $300 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on May 29, 2021, in Kenel, Rough Surface assaulted and strangled an intimate partner and then sexually abused her through the use of force. Rough Surface caused the victim to suffer substantial bodily harm.
The charges are merely accusations and Rough Surface is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Rough Surface was released pending trial. A trial date was set for November 1, 2022.