AUGUST 2022:
A federal jury has found Cody Wayne Hopkins, age 31, of Montgomery, Pennsylvania, guilty of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet following a federal jury trial in Rapid City.
Evidence at trial established that Hopkins was arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally targeting internet predators. Following multiple text messages with a person Hopkins believed to be a 13-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent, he proceeded to negotiate the time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Hopkins went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor, he instead was met by law enforcement agents and placed under arrest.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of five years up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The undercover operation was a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations.
A presentence investigation was ordered. A sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
JUNE 2022:
A federal judge in South Dakota has determined the penalty for a 21 year old Kaplan, Louisiana, man convicted of Attempted Possession of Child Pornography.
Robert Lee Goodwill was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Goodwill will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Goodwill was arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators. Goodwill initiated sexual chats and sought images of child pornography from a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent. Goodwill then negotiated a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Goodwill went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor, he was met by law enforcement and placed under arrest.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.
APRIL 2022:
A Claysville, Pennsylvania, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet has been sentenced in federal court in South Dakota.
Kevin William Clements, age 24, must spend 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Clements will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Clements was arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators. Clements initiated sexual chats with what he believed to be a 13-year-old prostitute, but who was in fact an undercover agent. Clements then negotiated a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Clements went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor’s pimp, he was met by law enforcement. Clements attempted to flee by driving his motorcycle away and fought with agents until he was tased and placed under arrest.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.
Clements was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
AUGUST 2020:
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted a joint sex trafficking operation during the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The operation began on August 7, 2020, and continued through August 13, 2020.
As a result, the following eight men were arrested:
- Robert Lee Goodwill, Jr., 20, Rapid City, SD – Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor
- Cody Wayne Hopkins, 29, Montgomery, PA – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Michael Ray Hudson, 32, Rapid City, SD – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Travis John McDonald, 28, Rapid City, SD – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- William Nicholas Riley, 60, Sturgis, SD – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Kevin William Clements, 22, Claysville, PA – Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor
- Darren Wilber Harrison, 25, Rapid City, SD – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
- Christopher Covey Dale Truax, 33, Rapid City, SD – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
The mandatory minimum penalty if convicted for Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor is 15 years if victim is under 14 years of age, and 10 years if between 14-17 years of age, up to life in federal prison; a $250,000 fine; any term of years, not less than 5, 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 if convicted 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 5, 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to extend its appreciation to all law enforcement partners involved in the investigations for their efforts and continued cooperation.
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