RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Martin, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on September 14, 2026. Austin Starr, 33, was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Starr will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Starr was indicted for two counts Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a federal grand jury in September 2025. He pleaded guilty on June 9, 2026.
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 Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
Starr was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.