United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Little Eagle, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact and Attempted Aggravated Sexual Abuse was sentenced on Dec. 30, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Ronnie Fire Cloud, a/k/a Ronald Fire Cloud, age 38, was sentenced to 120 months in custody on both counts to run concurrently, 5 years of Supervised Release, $400 in restitution and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Fire Cloud was indicted for the above charges and Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force by a federal grand jury on Dec. 11, 2012. On Oct. 15, 2013, Fire Cloud appeared before the Honorable Charles B. Kornmann for a jury trial. On Oct. 16, 2013, a jury found him not guilty on the charge of Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force; however they found him guilty on the other two charges.
The conviction stems from an incident occurring on Nov. 2, 2012. Fire Cloud allowed the victim, who was a house guest, to use his shower. While she was showering, Fire Cloud entered the bathroom, fondled her, and attempted to rape her. The victim was able to escape the bathroom, flee the residence and contact the authorities.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency, National Park Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Fire Cloud was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
