Lake Andes Man Charged with Assault and Felony Abuse and Neglect of a Child Under Seven Years

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Lake Andes, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Felony Abuse and Neglect of a Child Under Seven Years.

Jerrad Dean Clairmont, age 19, was indicted on May 9, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica Duffy on June 12, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalties upon conviction for each count are as follows: Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury has a penalty of mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine; Felony Abuse and Neglect of a Child Under Seven Years has a penalty of 15 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. Each count of conviction requires a term of years of supervised release and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

According to the indictment, in April 2017, Clairmont unlawfully assaulted a child who had not attained the age of 18 years, and said assault resulted in serious bodily injury. Clairmont also intentionally and knowingly abused and exposed the child by subjecting the child to an environment which constituted mistreatment and abuse, and whom lacked proper parental care through the acts and omissions of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian.

The charge is merely an accusation and Clairmont is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.

Clairmont was released on bond. A trial date has not been set.