Rapid City Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

 United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on August 17, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Richard Peneaux, age 26, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Peneaux was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 11, 2020.  He pled guilty on June 16, 2020.

Peneaux was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in March 2014.  As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender.  On December 19, 2019, Peneaux absconded from the Community Alternatives of the Black Hills Corrections Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.  As a result, federal warrants were issued to have Peneaux arrested.  On January 7, 2020, Rapid City Police Officers arrested Peneaux, after he led them on a foot pursuit and provided a false name and social security number.  Between the time Peneaux absconded through the time of his arrest, Peneaux failed to properly register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rapid City Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.

Peneaux was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.