White River Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a White River, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact.

Duane Mednansky, age 47, was indicted on August 16, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 6, 2017, 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, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between on or about May 1, 2013, and September 1, 2013, Mednansky knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a minor female. The Indictment further alleges that between May 1, 2013, and September 1, 2014, Mednansky engaged in sexual contact with a second female without her permission.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office Division of Criminal Investigation, the Mellette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.

Mednansky was released pending trial, which is set for October 31, 2017.