June 9, 2014

Lake Andes Man Convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Sylvan Godfrey, age 51, of Lake Andes, South Dakota, was convicted of one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and found not guilty of one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a child as a result of a two day federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, five years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Godfrey was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 17, 2013, on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place between July 27, 2006 and November 16, 2007, when the victim and her sister were taken to a drinking party at Milks Camp in Gregory County, at which Godfrey was present. The victim and her sister were sleeping in a back bedroom during the party when Godfrey entered the room. Godfrey touched the victim’s groin and inner thigh, skin to skin. Godfrey left the room when the victim began to cry. The victim was under the age of 12 when the incident occurred.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for August 11, 2014. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.