Pine Ridge man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for child exploitation, escape

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - A Pine Ridge man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting a teenage girl and escaping federal custody while awaiting trial.

Brandon Rouillard, 32, was sentenced Oct. 30 to 18 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and an additional two years for escape. The sentences will be served consecutively.

Rouillard will also be required to register as a sex offender following his release.

According to federal prosecutors, Rouillard communicated with a 14-year-old girl through Facebook Messenger between Dec. 30, 2024, and Jan. 2, 2025. Court records show the conversations became sexual, with Rouillard repeatedly asking the girl to send nude photos and videos.

Authorities said Rouillard eventually persuaded the teenager to create sexually explicit images and videos of herself.

Rouillard was indicted in 2025 on charges including sexual exploitation of a minor, receipt of child pornography and attempted receipt of child pornography. He later faced a separate federal escape charge.

The escape case stemmed from Rouillard failing to return to custody after being granted a furlough while his exploitation case was pending. Authorities found him about six weeks later.

He pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor and escape in January 2026.

The FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Rich prosecuted it.

Rouillard was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing.

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