United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Second Degree Murder, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Child Abuse.

Tyler Erickson, Sr., a/k/a TJ Erickson, age 31, was indicted on December 9, 2014. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on December 15, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $500 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on August 11, 2013, Erickson unlawfully and with malice murdered and assaulted a human being who had not attained the age of 18 years old. The Indictment also alleges that between August 1, 2013, and August 10, 2013, Erickson abused, exposed, tortured, and cruelly punished two children who had not attained the age of seven years old.

The charges are merely accusations and Erickson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher is prosecuting the case.

Erickson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.