Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Norris, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Abusive Sexual Contact.
Harold White Hat, age 37, was indicted on Aug. 10, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on Aug. 16, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to three years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on Nov. 3, 2020, in Mellette County, White Hat knowingly engaged in sexual contact with a minor victim. The Indictment further alleges that the victim 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 conduct.
The charges are merely accusations and White Hat is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
White Hat was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
