United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Dupree, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for aggravated sexual abuse of a child and sexual contact with a child.
James “Pard” Pesicka, age 29, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2013. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 23, 2013, and pled not guilty to the indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; at least five years up to life of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The defendant is alleged to have sexually abused a child under the age of 12 several times in Dupree from between July 2008 and February 2012. The charge is merely an accusation, and Pesicka is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case.
Pesicka was released pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
