Former tribal law enforcement officer sentenced for sexually abusing minors

KYLE, S.D. - A former tribal law enforcement officer has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for sexually abusing minors.

48-year-old Lloyd Emerson Elk, of Kyle, South Dakota sexually abused his stepdaughter multiple times when she was between five and seven years old. Court documents reveal Elk used physical and emotional domestic violence for years to control the victim and her family.

Elk told the victim if she ever told anyone, that he would kill her, her mother, and her brother. 

When the victim finally came forward in late 2023, the investigation revealed Elk had sexually abused another seven-year-old girl in 1998—while employed as a police officer in Idaho. He also made similar threats to her to keep her quiet.

“Every instance of child sexual abuse is simultaneously shocking and heartbreaking,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “But it is unthinkable that such victimization would happen at the hands of a law enforcement officer. It took great courage for the victims in this case to come forward with the truth.”

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Camela Theeler said Elk’s long pattern of violence was very concerning.

“Crimes against children are some of the most heinous crimes . . .  Adults in positions of power can abuse that position, take away the innocence of a child and hurt them,” said Camela.

Elk was sentenced to a total of 50 years in federal prison on each count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse, with an additional five years for Abusive Sexual Contact and 25 years for Witness Tampering. However, all sentences will run concurrently.