South Dakota Man Convicted of Child Abuse

PIERRE, SD—United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Donovan Tom Yazzie, age 28, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, was convicted February 18, 2011 of child abuse as a result of a federal jury trial in Pierre.

This charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.

Yazzie was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2010 for assault resulting in serious bodily injury of a child and child abuse. The charges stem from the abuse of an Eagle Butte child in April 2010. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson.

The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals.