MAY 2024:
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a U.S. District Judge has sentenced a Mobridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on May 20, 2024.
Charles Evyn Russell, age 36, was sentenced to nine years and one month in federal prison, followed by ten years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Upon his release from federal prison, Russell will be required to register as a sex offender.
Russell was indicted by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty on October 30, 2023.
The conviction stems from incidents between July 31, 2021, and April 1, 2022, when Russell possessed over 600 images of child pornography on various computer and electronic devices at his residence in Mobridge. Russell used the application KIK to obtain child pornography from other users.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Mobridge Police Department, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Russell was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
DECEMBER 2022:
A federal grand jury has determined there is enough evidence to charge a man from Mobridge with Distribution of Child Pornography and Possession
of Child Pornography.
Charles Evyn Russell, age 35, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno and pleaded not guilty.
The Indictment alleges that between July of 2021 and April of 2022, in Mobridge, Russell knowingly distributed and possessed child pornography.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Mobridge Police Department, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Russell was released on bond pending trial. A trial date was set for January 3, 2022.
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