Todd County Man Indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Abusive Sexual Contact

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Todd County, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor.

Fremont Menard, a/k/a Fremont Menard, Jr., age 19, was indicted on February 8, 2022.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 5, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between on or about August 23, 2021, and September 4, 2021, in Todd County, South Dakota, Menard knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual contact with a minor under the age of 16, by the use of force.  The Indictment further alleges that on or about September 4, 2021, Menard knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a different minor under the age of 16, by the use of force.

The charges are merely accusations and Menard is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.     

Menard was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has been set for June 28, 2022.