Sisseton Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Abusive Sexual Contact by Force

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Sisseton, South Dakota man, convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact by Force. The sentencing took place on December 11, 2023, in Pierre, South Dakota.

Ira Alan Arias, age 48, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Arias was indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child by a federal grand jury in April of 2018. He pleaded guilty on October 23, 2023.

According to court documents, 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. The sexual abuse occurred in a hotel room in Codington County. 

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Arias was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.