Pipestone Man Sentenced for Kidnapping by Confinement

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Robert Ford, age 41, of Pipestone, Minnesota, who was found guilty by a federal jury on July 19, 2012, of kidnapping by confinement, was sentenced by the Honorable Karen E. Schreier. Ford was sentenced to 36 months in custody to be followed by two years of supervised release. He was indicted on December 6, 2011.

An investigation into a report of sexual assault led to the charge. On June 30, 2011, a female resident of Flandreau and member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, had been taken to the hospital after having been assaulted and confined in the bedroom of her own house on tribal land. The 37-year-old victim reported that Robert Ford assaulted her and barricaded the door, preventing her from leaving. Ford eventually fled the scene after other residents in the home heard sounds of a struggle.

The investigation was conducted by the Flandreau Police Department and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas J. Wright and Jeffrey C. Clapper.

The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.