Soldier Creek Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Child Abuse

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Soldier Creek, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Involuntary Manslaughter and two counts of Child Abuse.

Robert Staples, Jr., age 35, was indicted on February 13, 2019.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 26, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on September 14, 2018, Staples unlawfully killed another human being, while operating a motor vehicle, in a grossly negligent manner.  The Indictment further alleges Staples abused, exposed, tortured, tormented, and cruelly punished children who had not attained the age of seven years old.

The charges are merely accusations and Staples is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore is prosecuting the case.   

Staples was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.