United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Kyle, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse.
Benjamin Joseph Palmier, age 55, was indicted on Jan. 22, 2014. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on Jan. 24, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is any term of imprisonment up to life and/or a $250,000 fine, lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The indictment charges that Palmier engaged in two sexual acts with a women who was incapable of consenting to the acts.
The charges are merely accusations and Palmier is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case.
Palmier was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
