Acting United States Dennis R. Holmes announced that the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted a joint sex trafficking operation during the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The operation began on August 6, 2021, and continued through August 12, 2021.
As a result, the following nine men were arrested and charged with a variety of offenses:
- Alec Walker Daniel, 22, Rapid City, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Alexander Wayne Basaldu, 35, Rapid City, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Jesse James Young, 36, Rapid City, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Joshua Robert Lehmann, 34, Rapid City, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Christopher Thomas Dahl, 28, Wolcott, NY: Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor
- Stephen Gregory Fontenot, 39, Black Hawk, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Anthony James Kemp, 54, Spearfish, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- James Dean Hanapel, 20, Ellsworth AFB: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Clayton John Paulson, 36, Spearfish, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
According to the Rapid City Journal, various apps were used during the operation, including Skout, MeetMe and Whisper, as well as the website fetlife.com.
The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet is 10 years up to life in federal prison; any term of years, not less than five, up to lifetime supervised release; $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund; and a $5,000 assessment if not indigent. Restitution may also be ordered.
The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor is 15 years up to life in federal prison; a $250,000 fine; any term of years, not less than five, up to lifetime supervised release; $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund; and a $5,000 assessment if not indigent. Restitution may also be ordered.
