United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Wakpala man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and one count of aggravated sexual contact with a child.
Gerard Deshauquette, age 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 14, 2012. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on March 1, 2012 and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 30 years up to life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both. The charges relate to the alleged sexual abuse of a child victim between November 2009 and November 2010. The charges are merely accusations, and Deshauquette is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case. Deshauquette was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service. A trial date has not yet been set.
