Wounded Knee Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Committing Child Sexual Abuse

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a man from Wounded Knee, South Dakota, convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on August 18, 2025.

Anfernee Rondeau, 28, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Rondeau was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2024. He was found guilty following a federal jury trial in May 2025.

Evidence offered at trial established that on the evening of April 4, 2024, Rondeau, his girlfriend, and his girlfriend's 6-year-old daughter returned home after an evening of drinking. Both adults were intoxicated. Rondeau, his girlfriend, and the child went into a bedroom. A short while later, a 13-year-old witness heard the child crying. When the 13-year-old went to check on the child, she observed Rondeau on top of the child. Rondeau's pants were partially unzipped and pulled down. The child's pants and underwear were pulled down. The 13-year-old witness acted heroically and pushed Rondeau off the child. The 13-year-old wrapped the child in a blanket and carried her to another family member inside the house. Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety law enforcement responded and arrested Rondeau.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

Rondeau was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.