Brookings Man Convicted of Federal Child Sexual Abuse Charges in South Dakota

Northeast Radio SD News – Brookings, SD - A federal jury has convicted Joseph Darrell Peterson, Jr., 47, of Brookings (formerly of Veblen) on two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons. The verdict followed a three‑day trial in U.S. District Court in Aberdeen.

Federal prosecutors said the investigation revealed that between 2010 and 2012, while living on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, Peterson repeatedly committed penetrative sexual acts against a child who was under 12 years old. According to the release, the abuse occurred over a span of 13 years and across multiple states.

“In 2023, that child dared to come forward to law enforcement,” the DOJ release stated.

Peterson was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2024 and convicted on June 17, 2025.

Sentencing and Penalties

Each conviction carries:

·         Mandatory minimum: 30 years in federal prison

·         Maximum: Life imprisonment

·         Fine: Up to $250,000

·         Supervised release: Minimum of 5 years, up to life

·         Special assessment: $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund

·         Restitution: May also be ordered

A presentence investigation is underway. Sentencing is scheduled for September 14, 2026. Peterson has been remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Investigation and Prosecution

The case was investigated by:

·         Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Law Enforcement

·         South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation

·         Federal Bureau of Investigation

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) AUSA Troy R. Morley.

Federal jurisdiction applies under the Major Crimes Act, which requires certain violent crimes occurring in Indian Country to be prosecuted in federal court.

Part of MMIP and Project Safe Childhood Initiatives

The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which focuses on improving coordination and resolving MMIP cases in Tribal communities.

It also falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide DOJ initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.