Wakpala Man Indicted for Sexual Assault of a Minor
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 08, 2012 |
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Wakpala man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for sexual assault of a minor, sexual abuse, and aggravated sexual assault by force.
Tyrel Demarrias, a/k/a Tyrell DeMarrias, age 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 14, 2012. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on March 6, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both. The charges relate to the alleged sexual assault of a minor victim in September 2011. The charges are merely accusations, and Demarrias is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case. Demarrias was released on bond with electronic monitoring pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.