Brandon man pleads guilty to sexual contact by a registered sex offender

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Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, please contact the Compass Center (605) 339-0116, the Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety (formerly Children’s Inn) (605) 338-4880 or the Sioux Falls Police Department (605) 367-7212. Sexual assault exams are available at hospitals in Sioux Falls and downtown The Link.

Andrew Steven White Eyes, 35, of Brandon, pleaded guilty last week to sexual contact by a registered sex offender during a change of plea hearing, according to court records.

Last August, a $20,025 warrant was issued for White Eyes’ arrest after he was accused of posing as a Lyft driver and then kidnapping and sexually assaulting a Sioux Falls woman. His initial charges of second-degree kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon linked to the case have since been dropped.

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The attack was reported to Lincoln County Communications on Aug. 22, according to the affidavit.

The victim requested a Lyft ride to her friend’s house at approximately 3 a.m. on August 20 in Harrisburg. White Eyes arrived at the victim’s home in Sioux Falls to take her to her destination.

White Eyes then allegedly encouraged the victim to sit in the front passenger seat, noting that there were several items in the backseat. The affidavit stated that White Eyes told the victim how beautiful she was and that he wanted to make her his “housewife.” The victim asked him to stop making comments.

White Eyes then placed his hand on the victim’s leg, after which the victim grabbed his hand and placed it on his side of the vehicle.

The affidavit then states that White Eyes continued to make sexual comments and made more attempts to rub her leg.

The victim shared her location on her phone. She then called her boyfriend and left her phone on the chair so he could listen in on what was being said.

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By then, White Eyes had driven to a remote location in Harrisburg, where he sexually assaulted her, the affidavit said. The victim pushed him away and asked him to stop.

When White Eyes continued his attempt to touch her, the victim made him aware that someone else was listening from her phone. The victim told her boyfriend to “meet her outside and bring his parents.”

The affidavit then states that White Eyes pulled out a gun, held it to the victim’s ribs and threatened to kill anyone waiting for them when they arrived. White Eyes also claimed he was wanted for murder in California and Minnesota.

About 2 to 3 minutes later, White Eyes put the gun away and began crying, apologized and kissed her on the forehead, according to the affidavit.

White Eyes eventually drove the victim to her destination and had her exit the vehicle. He was arrested on August 24 and is currently awaiting a new trial date pending a full pre-sentence investigation report and a psychosexual evaluation.

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White Eyes’ bond and release conditions include no contact with the victim, good behavior, staying in contact with an attorney, attending all court dates, no weapons, compliance with the South Dakota sex offender registry and no driving with rideshare services, including Lyft, Uber, taxi etc.

South Dakota’s sex offender registry includes White Eyes’ name after he was convicted in 2010 of attempting to have sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl.

Court documents also show that one of White Eye’s multiple cases, which also include citations of stalking, simple assault, assault on a law enforcement officer and two protective orders, was reopened in September 2021 for driving with a suspended license.