Martin Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Minor
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 28, 2012 |
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Martin, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for sexually abusing a minor between June 2010 and July 2011 near Martin.
Edwin Johnson, age 61, was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 19, 2012, for sexual abuse of a minor. Johnson appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on November 26, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years in custody and a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Johnson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Martin Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Heather Thompson is prosecuting the case. Johnson was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has been set for January 29, 2013.