United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Red Scaffold, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Second Degree Burglary and Sexual Abuse of a Person Incapable of Consent.
William Collins, age 39, was indicted on Oct. 16, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on Oct. 23, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a minimum of 5 years and up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on March 23, 2019, Collins entered the residence of an individual and knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with the individual who at the time was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct, and was physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating an unwillingness to engage in the sexual act.
The charges are merely accusations and Collins is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Collins was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
