Jury Finds Eagle Butte Man Guilty of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Lawrence Oakie, age 38, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, was found guilty of three counts of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child, as a result of a three-day federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota. 

The charges each carry a maximum penalty of up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

Oakie was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 13, 2018. 

On September 2, 2017, Oakie was at a house party in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, with several individuals, along with two minor children who lived in the home.  During the night, one of the minor children got up to use restroom and when she came back to the room, Oakie was in the bedroom sitting next to the other minor child and was touching the child in an inappropriate and sexual manner.      

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for November 25, 2019.  The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.