Rapid City Man, who is trying to exploit children to Sturgi's Rally Undercover Operation | was convicted | State news

{KXLG-South Dakota} According to a three-day legal proceedings before the Federal District Court in Rapid City, the 34-year-old William Henry Riese from Rapid City, South Dakota, was convicted of several federal members in connection with the sexual exploitation of children. The United States' lawyer, Alison J. Ramsdell, announced the judgment, which was handed over on February 27, 2025.

Riese was found guilty:

• Tried sexual exploitation of a minor
• Attempt to make an underage too tempting with the Internet
• Experimental maintenance of child pornography
• Attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor

The charges result in a potential punishment, including a mandatory minimum number of 15 years in custody and a maximum punishment for the lifelong prison sentence. Riese is also a potential fine of up to 250,000 US dollars, lifelong release and a special evaluation of 400 US dollars at the Federal Fondal Crime Fund. The court can also order the refund to the victims.

The case came from a hidden sexual trade, which was carried out during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August 2022. This process was aimed specifically on the Internet predator. According to the evidence presented in court, Riese had numerous chats and sent sexually explicit text messages with a person he believed that she was a 14-year-old girl. Unknown to Riese, this person was actually a hidden law enforcement authority.

Riese negotiated a meeting time and a place in which illegal sexual acts were involved in the alleged minor. When arriving at the pre -arranged place, Riese was not hit by the person he was expecting, but by law enforcement officers who immediately arrested him. He was then charged with state in August 2022.

This public prosecutor is part of the Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative, which was launched by the Ministry of Justice in May 2006 to combat sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Project Safe Childhood uses federal, state and local resources to localize, record and follow people, exploit children and identify and save victims. Further information on the project safe childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/PSC.

The examination of this case was a joint effort of investigations for home protection, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Rapid City Police Department. The deputy US lawyer Heather Knox served as a prosecutor.

After the conviction, a present examination was ordered. The conviction of Riese is planned for May 30, 2025. He was referred back to the care of the US marshal service until the conviction.