Wagner Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Wagner, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on July 6, 2023.

Zander Zephier, age 22, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Zephier was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on April 26, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on January 1, 2021, when Zephier knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual contact with a child who had not attained the age of 16. Zephier will also need to register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by the Yankton Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.

Zephier was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.