Jan. 15, 2026:
WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT)–A Watertown man was sentenced Jan. 15, 2026, in Codington County District Court on a state charge of First Degree Rape.
Forty seven year old Ted Jeffrey (T.J.) Hurkes was sentenced to 50 years in prison for an incident that occurred during a child sleepover at his home in late 2022.
He pled guilty to the rape charge in October 2024.
Codington County State’s Attorney Alison Bakken asked Judge Carmen Means to impose a life sentence, saying Hurkes’ crime “impacted the entire community.”
Defense attorney Teree Nesvold did not ask for a specific sentence, but sought one that would allow for “rehabilitation opportunities” for her client.
Hurkes made a brief statement at sentencing emphasizing that he was, “sorry for what happened to the victim,” and understood what he did was wrong.
This sentence will run concurrent with a federal sentence imposed on Hurkes in June 2024 for a conviction of Production of Child Pornography. That conviction stemmed from an incident on October 2, 2022, when Hurkes used his cell phone to take pictures and make recordings of a partially unclothed minor female while she was asleep.
Following the sentencing in Codington County, Hurkes was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service, which is returning him to a federal prison in Greenville, Illinois. His scheduled release date from that lockup facility is August 5, 2048. He’ll be required to register as a sex offender after he’s released.
JUNE 2024:
U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Watertown, South Dakota, man convicted of Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on June 3, 2024.
Ted Jeffrey Hurkes, age 46, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five 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, Hurkes must register as a six offender.
Hurkes was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on December 4, 2023.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on October 2, 2022, when Hurkes used his cell phone to take pictures and make video recordings of a partially unclothed minor female while she was asleep. The child was unaware of the images being created by Hurkes.
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 Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Hurkes was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
NOVEMBER 29, 2023:
New plea agreement documents have been filed (Nov. 29, 2023) in the federal case of Ted “TJ” Jeffrey Hurkes, 44, of Watertown.
According to court documents, Hurkes would plead guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment filed in this case, which charged the Production of Child Pornography.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, up to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, and a period of supervised release of a mandatory minimum of 5 years, up to life. There is a $100 assessment to the victims’ assistance fund. There is a $5,000 assessment to the domestic trafficking fund unless the Court finds the Defendant to be indigent.
If accepted by the Court, the remaining counts would be dismissed.
Hurkes would also, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, a federal law, register and keep the registration current in each of the following jurisdictions: where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student.
A “factual basis statement” filed by Hurkes’ Attorney Amanda Work and signed by Hurkes admits on or around October 2, 2022, a cell phone owned by Hurkes was used to record sexually explicit activity with a minor female unbeknownst to them, with the intent to distribute in various ways including a computer.
A sealed plea agreement supplement that is restricted was also filed.
A scheduling order was filed ordering Hurkes to appear in court on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Aberdeen, SD.
Hurkes still faces 72 charges from the State of South Dakota that include multiples of the same counts and currently shows a status hearing scheduled for December 6, 2023, and a jury trial for December 14, 2023; however, continuances or, as with the federal case, a plea agreement could be reached.
(Story courtesy of news partner KXLG.)
FEBRUARY 28, 2023:
A federal grand jury has indicted a Watertown man for two counts of Production of Child Pornography and one count of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography.
Ted Jeffrey Hurkes, age 44, pleaded not guilty.
The Indictment alleges that on October 2, 2022, and again on November 12, 2022, Hurkes knowingly employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct. The Indictment also alleges that between on or about October 2, 2022, and January 13, 2023, Hurkes knowingly received and distributed, and attempted to receive and distribute, any child pornography that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 30 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life years of supervised release, and $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
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.
Hurkes was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for May 2, 2023.
JANUARY 15, 2023:
Watertown Police Department, in partnership with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, reports the arrest of Ted “TJ” Hurkes, 44, of Watertown, for eight counts of possession and
manufacturing of child pornography, first-degree rape of someone under the age of 13, sexual contact with a child under 16 years of age, and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Hurkes was taken into custody in the 500 block of Airport Drive in Watertown, SD, and is currently being held at the Codington County Detention Center; bond is pending.
It was reported that WPD executed a search warrant in the 1100 block of 17th Street northeast for additional evidence, and the investigation is still ongoing.
(Story courtesy of news partner KXLG.)
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