South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Minor

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Walter Chasing Hawk, Jr., age 40, of Wakpala, appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on November 22, 2010, and pled guilty to Count One of a Superseding Indictment that charged him with aggravated sexual abuse. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The charge stems from the sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 in Corson County in 1999. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for February 28, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.