U.S. Attorney’s Office to Honor Two Law Enforcement Agents

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler has announced that his office will honor two law enforcement agents with a Distinguished Service Award. The presentation will take place at the South Dakota Police Chiefs’ Association and South Dakota Sheriffs’ Association Spring Conference at The Lodge in Deadwood on April 19, 2017.

The first honoree is Brent Gromer, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Supervisory Special Agent and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Commander. SSA Gromer is being honored for his dedication to protecting children from online predators. He has been involved in numerous undercover operations, and part of his job with ICAC is to investigate offenders who use the internet, online communication systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children. SSA Gromer’s investigative abilities and techniques have resulted in the prosecution of numerous child predators. SSA Gromer has been the architect of the proactive Sturgis Bike Rally operations, targeting online predators since 2013. Since that time, each year he innovates methodology in response to the ongoing changes which necessarily occur in these types of cases, including advancements in technology, changes in predators’ behavior, and constant demands drawing limited resources elsewhere. Most recent totals show that combined since that time, the Rally Operation has resulted in over 1,000 months of imprisonment for internet predators. The ICAC Task Force was created to help Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigations.

Also being honored is John Long. Agent Long recently stepped down as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Indian Affairs after having served virtually his entire distinguished career in South Dakota. Agent Long singlehandedly revitalized the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services upon his arrival in Pine Ridge in 2004. As a result of his extraordinary determination and commitment to the safety of the citizens of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, hundreds of important violent crimes were prosecuted in federal court over many years. Agent Long also distinguished himself through his outreach to other federal agencies, as well as State and law enforcement offices in an effort to bring all resources to the table to stem crime on the reservation.