On November 3, 2025, a significant legal proceeding was concluded in Aberdeen, South Dakota, with profound implications for the community and the state at large. U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann sentenced Gokoh Frank Brown, a 29-year-old resident of Watertown, South Dakota, to 40 years in federal prison for the crimes of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Abuse of a Minor. This harrowing case underscores not only the importance of justice but also highlights South Dakota’s commitment to enforcing federal laws to protect vulnerable populations, particularly within Native American territories.
The conviction of Brown followed an indictment by a federal grand jury in August 2024, culminating in a jury trial where he was found guilty on May 21, 2025. This case involves serious allegations that occurred from January to August 2023, involving the repeated sexual assault of a 12-year-old child within Brown’s household on the Lake Traverse Reservation. Located in the northeastern part of South Dakota, Lake Traverse Reservation is home to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, a sovereign people with deep historical roots in the area.
Justice in South Dakota
The investigation that brought Brown to justice was a collaborative effort involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Law Enforcement, and the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Under the prosecutorial guidance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb, this effort was part of a broader nationwide initiative known as Project Safe Childhood. Launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006, this project targets child sexual exploitation and abuse, marshalling federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals exploiting children.
The case’s handling in federal court was necessitated by the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute requiring certain violent crimes in Indian Country to be prosecuted at the federal level. This reflects South Dakota’s adherence to federally mandated processes while recognizing and respecting the complex jurisdictional landscape of the state’s tribal lands. Highlighting this cooperation between federal and tribal law enforcement, the prosecution exemplifies a partnership geared towards ensuring safety and justice within South Dakota’s tribal communities.
The Impact on the Community
For the residents of the Lake Traverse Reservation and the broader South Dakota community, this case serves as a stark reminder of the critical need to protect children and bring perpetrators of exploitation to justice. It reflects a community’s resolve to confront grievous acts and uphold the rule of law, serving both as a deterrent to potential offenders and a message of support to survivors and their families.
Brown’s sentence includes not only a prolonged prison term but also 20 years of supervised release. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender upon his release, ensuring continued monitoring and safeguarding of the community. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, an important resource for victims of crime in the United States.
About Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood, under which this case was prosecuted, represents a concerted effort by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation to address the escalating crisis of child sexual exploitation. By bringing together federal resources and local partnerships, this initiative ensures a robust response to crimes against children, providing justice and recovery pathways for victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood and its initiatives, the Department of Justice provides resources and updates at their official project page. As part of this national effort, South Dakota continues to demonstrate its commitment to protecting its younger residents, leveraging comprehensive federal support alongside state and local law enforcement efforts.
The state’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by committed public servants, continuously strives to build safer communities and support victims. Individuals are encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspected child exploitation, underlining the message that tackling such grave crimes is a communal effort.
Contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for more information or to report concerns at usasd.press@usdoj.gov.