Lower Brule Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Glen Eagle Thunder, age 38, of Lower Brule, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on October 10, 2012, and pled guilty to failure to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The maximum penalty is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Eagle Thunder also pled guilty to an assault by striking, beating, and wounding. The charge carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

Eagle Thunder signed initial paperwork acknowledging his duty to register as a sex offender on July 22, 2010, following his conviction for abusive sexual contact.

Eagle Thunder then failed to register as a sex offender in November 2011. He was convicted of this offense in March 2012 and sentenced to a 10 month split sentence term of custody. Eagle Thunder signed registration paperwork following his release from custody on April 30, 2012.

On or about June 22, 2012, Eagle Thunder consumed alcohol and assaulted a family member. He was charged federally and released on bond pending trial. Eagle Thunder then absconded and failed to update his registration in September 2012 as required by law and condition of his supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Eagle Thunder was immediately turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service.