MARQUETTE — A resident of the L’Anse Indian Reservation faces two sex abuse charges in federal court.

A federal grand jury indicted Michael Philip Dowd, 56, on a single count each of aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced Thursday.

Each count carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

“My office is prepared to make its case in court and strongly encourages anyone with information about Mr. Dowd who can assist with this active investigation to contact our Marquette Office,” Totten said.

The indictment returned Tuesday alleges that between April 8 and April 9 Dowd knowingly engaged in a sexual act with the victim by using his body to hold the victim down and performing a sexual act on the victim. The indictment further alleges that Dowd knowingly engaged in a sexual act with the victim without the victim’s consent and while the victim was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct and physically incapable of declining participation in, or communicating unwillingness to engage in the sexual act.

This case was investigated by the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI are continuing to investigate Dowd for sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact. Anyone who has not previously provided information about conduct involving Dowd should contact the FBI or U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, Marquette Branch Office, at 906-226-2500.