PINE RIDGE, S.D. – A Pine Ridge man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting a teenage girl and later escaping federal custody while awaiting trial.
Federal prosecutors say 32-year-old Brandon Rouillard received an 18-year sentence for sexual exploitation of a minor and an additional two years for escape. The sentences will be served consecutively.
According to court records, Rouillard used Facebook Messenger to communicate with a 14-year-old girl in late 2024 and early 2025. Prosecutors say he persuaded the teen to create and send sexually explicit images and videos of herself.
Rouillard was later indicted on multiple federal child exploitation charges. While awaiting trial, he failed to return to custody after being granted a furlough and remained at large for about six weeks before authorities located him.
In addition to his prison sentence, Rouillard will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
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