Nine Men Arrested in Sex Trafficking Operation

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

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.

The charges are merely accusations and all nine defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The agencies involved in the operation were DCI, ICAC, HSI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ellsworth AFB Office of Special Investigations, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.

The cases are being federally prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins.

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.