Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced the conviction of Jesse Norman White Bull, 45, from Kenel, South Dakota. White Bull was found guilty on July 10, 2025, of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor after a three-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen.
Each charge could result in up to 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine. Additionally, there is a mandatory minimum supervised release period ranging from five years to life and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be imposed.
White Bull was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024. The trial evidence showed that he sexually abused a 13-year-old girl multiple times between June and July 2023 at a residence in Kenel, located within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case under the Major Crimes Act, which requires certain violent crimes occurring in Indian Country to be tried in federal court instead of state court.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. This initiative combines resources from federal, state, and local agencies to prosecute offenders and assist victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem handled the prosecution.
A presentence investigation report has been ordered with sentencing set for September 29, 2025. White Bull remains free on bond pending sentencing.
