Former Indian Health Services pediatrician convicted of sexual abuse

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A former South Dakota Indian Health Services pediatrician accused of child sexual abuse has been convicted on all eight counts.

Jurors deliberated for about four hours Friday before finding Stanley Weber guilty of sexually abusing Native American children while he was a doctor on the Pine Ridge reservation. He faces life in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

The 70-year-old Weber is accused of committing the crimes between 1995 and 2011. Prosecutor Sarah Collin said in closing arguments that Weber created a “perfect recipe for prolific sexual abuse for 18 years.” She said Weber carefully chose and groomed his victims.

Harvey Steinberg, one of Weber’s private defense lawyers, said there was a “lack of investigation” in a “rush to judgment” to convict his client.

Weber is currently in prison for abusing children while he was a pediatrician in Montana.