BRIEF: Sisseton man charged sexual abuse of child

Oct. 22--A Sisseton man faces four federal sexual abuse charges, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Joel Michael Max, 29, was indicted in September and has pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual abuse and one count of aggravated abuse of a child who is younger than 12. His trial has been set for Dec. 18. He's in the custody of the U.S Marshals Service.

The charges stem from events in Roberts County in which Max either engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual acts with a child between September 2016 and June 2018, according to court paperwork.

Each of the sexual abuse charges carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison. Sexual abuse of a child carries a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison. A fine of as much as $250,000 could also be imposed on each count.

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