30 Years in Federal Prison for Fort Worth Man Convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Ira Alan Arias, age 42, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Sisseton, South Dakota, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison following a federal jury’s guilty verdicts on three counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child. 

U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange pronounced the sentence in federal court in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  Arias was also ordered to serve six years of supervised release after his release from prison and to pay $300 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

On or about May 3, 2015, Arias forcefully engaged in three sexual acts with the victim, who was 14 years old at the time of the sexual abuse.  Arias was the victim’s uncle.  The sexual abuse occurred in a hotel room in Codington County. 

At the sentencing hearing, the district judge stated that Arias “not only used but dehumanized” the victim.  The district judge also stated that the sentencing “brings some sort of closure” and that our “system of justice does work.” 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri.

Arias was immediately remanded to custody to continue serving his sentence.