Lower Brule Man Arraigned on Sexual Abuse Charge

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for sexual abuse.

Douglas LaRoche, age 44, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 22, 2012. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 5, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is any term of years or life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. The charge is merely an accusation, and LaRoche is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. LaRoche was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not yet been set.