Rapid City Man Charged for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Joseph Blue Bird, age 31, was indicted on February 14, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 4, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Blue Bird was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in February 2014. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. It is alleged that between December 10, 2017, and February 13, 2018, Blue Bird, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender.
The charge is merely an accusation and Blue Bird is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.Â
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.  Â
Blue Bird was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Department of Justice
Office of the U.S. Attorney
District of South Dakota
Source: Justice.gov