United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child, Sexual Abuse of a Child, Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor, and Child Abuse.
Charles Edwards, age 36, was indicted on March 21, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 29, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $600 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges between December 2008 and December 2016, Edwards sexually molested a child on multiple occasions. The Indictment also alleged that Edwards abused, exposed, tortured, tormented, and cruelly punished that same child.
The charges are merely accusations and Edwards is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Edwards was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for May 23, 2017.