United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the sentencing of Sonny Gray Grass, a South Dakota resident, for failing to register as a sex offender. The sentencing was conducted by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schrier on February 24, 2025.
Gray Grass, aged 63, received a sentence of one year and six months in federal prison. Following his imprisonment, he will be subject to five years of supervised release and is required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
In November 2024, Gray Grass was indicted by a federal grand jury for his failure to register as a sex offender and pleaded guilty in December of the same year.
Previously convicted on September 9, 2013, for Abusive Sexual Contact under various U.S.C sections in the District of South Dakota's U.S. District Court, Gray Grass was mandated to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. His recent conviction arose from not registering his location while residing in Sioux Falls during August 2024.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative established in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative leverages resources from federal, state, and local entities to prosecute offenders and assist victims. More details about this project can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The investigation into Gray Grass's case was carried out by the U.S. Marshals Service with Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson handling prosecution duties.
Following sentencing, Gray Grass was placed under the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.