Source: United States Department of Justice News
United States Attorney Alison Ramsdell announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor by Force.
Jeffery Pickner, age 45, was indicted on June 14, 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 24, 2022, 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, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between July 1994 and June 1997, Pickner sexually abused two victims, both of whom were under the age of twelve. The Indictment further alleges that between November 2015 and September 2016, Pickner sexually abused a third victim by force, who had not attained the age of sixteen.
The charges are merely accusations and Pickner is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Pickner was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.