Kyle Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on August 1, 2024.

Rudolfo Ceron III, 26, was sentenced to 14 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. Ceron will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Ceron was indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a federal grand jury in October of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024.

The conviction stems from Ceron, who was 25 years old at the time of the assault, raping a 13-year-old girl. In sentencing Ceron to 14 years in prison, Chief Judge Lange noted a need to protect the public and provide both punishment and deterrence.

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 FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

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