PIERRE — (KCCR) — A Crow Creek man has been sentenced in federal court on charges connected to the abuse of the man’s step son. U-S Attorney Alison Ramsdell says 35 year-old James Drapeau was sentenced on Monday to a two-year, four-month federal prison term after being convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Child Abuse. Drapeau was indicted on the charges in June of last year and was convicted during a June trial. Drapeau’s 14 year-old step son was living with him in a home on the Crow Creek Reservation when the assault took place. Drapeau assaulted the child with a broomstick and electric cord after Drapeau believed the boy made a disrespectful comment toward him. The boy escaped a back bedroom, but Drapeau caught up with the boy and kicked him. The boy suffered bruising on his head, lower back, arms, buttocks and legs as a result. Drapeau will serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.
