Fort Thompson Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child by Force. The sentencing took place on June 10, 2024.

Earlwyn Makes Room For Them, age 28, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Makes Room For Them was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. The defendant pleaded guilty in May of 2024.

In 2014, Makes Room For Them repeatedly abused a young girl living in the same home in Fort Thompson, within the Crow Creek Reservation. Makes Room For Them forced the young victim, who was under age 12, to touch his genitalia. Makes Room For Them also forced his hand down the young victim’s pants and touched her groin.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Makes Room For Them was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.