Las Vegas, NV, Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Offenses Involving Transportation of a One-Year-Old Child for the Purpose of Sexual Abuse

FARGO – United States Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on January 25, 2019, Chief United States District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland, sentenced Bryan James Hogle, age 43, Las Vegas, NV, to serve 45 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release for the charges of Conspiracy to Transport a Minor, and Coercion and Enticement.  Hogle was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,640 to the victim and $200 in special assessments to the Crime Victims’ Fund.  Hogle has a prior conviction for sexually abusing a child in New Hampshire in 2008.

 This case was brought to the attention of law enforcement after Dustin W. Kewley, Fargo, ND began communicating with an undercover officer from the Metropolitan Police Department – FBI Child Exploitation Task Force in Washington, DC.   During the investigation of Kewley and subsequent forensic examination of his computer and cell phone, it was determined there were text conversations between Hogle and Kewley, wherein they discussed in horrific detail their plan to meet for the purpose of sexually abusing a one-year-old child.  

On May 22, 2017, Kewley transported the one-year-old child from Fargo, North Dakota, to Moorhead, Minnesota, to meet Hogle, who traveled from Las Vegas, Nevada, the previous day.  The two men met at a hotel in Moorhead where together they sexually abused the child.  Kewley and Hogle subsequently took steps to conceal their crime such as deleting their communications and bathing the child.

On January 8, 2019, Kewley was sentenced to serve 35 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release for the charges of Conspiracy to Transport a Minor, Transportation of a Minor, Distribution of Materials Containing Child Pornography, and Possession of Materials Containing Child Pornography.

This case was investigated by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation; Federal Bureau of Investigations; Homeland Security Investigations; and FBI Child Exploitation Task Force.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Puhl prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the nation, Project Safe Childhood, in conjunction with Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), help federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communications systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children. The ICAC Program is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces engaging in proactive investigations, forensic investigations, and criminal prosecutions. Project Safe Childhood also helps to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.