Fort Thompson Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force and Sexual Abuse

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force and Sexual Abuse.

Devon Wayne Saul, age 27, was indicted on November 5, 2019.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 14, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

According to the Indictment, on August 18, 2019, in Buffalo County, South Dakota, Saul knowingly caused and attempted to cause the victim to engage in a sexual act by using force.  The indictment also alleges that Saul engaged in a sexual act with the victim while the victim was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct, or physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating her unwillingness to engage in the sexual act.

The maximum penalties upon conviction for each count are as follows:  up to life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine; a mandatory minimum term of five (5) years, up to life, of supervised release; $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund; $5,000 assessment to the domestic trafficking fund; and restitution may be ordered.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.  

Saul was released to the custody of third party custodians.  A trial date of January 14, 2020, has been set.