Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the conviction of Jesse Norman White Bull, 45, from Kenel, South Dakota. White Bull was found guilty on July 10, 2025, of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor after a three-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Each count could lead to a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine. Additionally, there is a mandatory minimum supervised release period ranging from five years to life and a $100 special assessment for the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be imposed.
The indictment against White Bull was issued by a federal grand jury in September 2024. During the trial, evidence showed that White Bull sexually abused a 13-year-old girl several times between June and July 2023 at his residence in Kenel, which is part of the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation.
This case fell under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Attorney’s Office due to the Major Crimes Act. This federal law requires certain violent crimes in Indian Country to be prosecuted federally rather than at the state level.
The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The project brings together resources from various levels of government to prosecute offenders and assist victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services conducted investigations into this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem led the prosecution.
A presentence investigation report has been ordered with sentencing scheduled for September 29, 2025. White Bull remains released on bond pending his sentencing.
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