St. Francis Man Indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.

Abraham Joseph Crane, a/k/a Abraham Joseph Pretty Voice, a/k/a Sam Crane, age 64, was indicted on May 14, 2019.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 17, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between August 1, 2018, and November 16, 2018, in Todd County, South Dakota, Crane knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a child under the age of 12.

The charge is merely an accusation and Crane 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 Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

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