Rosebud Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of Children from the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Two Separate Cases

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Clarence Jeffrey Smith, a/k/a Jeffrey Clarence Smith, age 30, of Rosebud, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on January 18, 2012. In two separate cases, Smith pled guilty to the sexual abuse of children from the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation.

In both cases, the maximum penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. In the first case, Smith pled guilty to aggravated sexual abuse. Between August 14, 1998, and August 13, 1999, the victim was sleeping inside the cab of Smith’s pickup truck. The victim woke up, and Smith told her he would drive her home. Instead, Smith drove the victim to the church near the cemetery in Parmelee and parked. Smith slid over next to the victim and sexually abused her and restrained her when she attempted to flee. The assault ended when the victim punched Smith in the face and was able to run away.

In the second case, Smith pled guilty to abusive sexual contact. The charge stems from an incident that took place on May 20, 2011, when he sexually abused a child.

The investigations were conducted by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the South Dakota Forensic Laboratory. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Marie H. Ruettgers and Tim Maher.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and the sentencing date was set for April 10, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.