Eight Men Arrested in Sex Trafficking Operation

 United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted a joint sex trafficking operation during the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  The operation began on August 7, 2020, and continued through August 13, 2020.  

As a result, the following eight men were arrested:

Robert Lee Goodwill, Jr., 20, Rapid City, SD - Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor

Cody Wayne Hopkins, 29, Montgomery, PA - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Michael Ray Hudson, 32, Rapid City, SD - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Travis John McDonald, 28, Rapid City, SD - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

William Nicholas Riley, 60, Sturgis, SD - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Kevin William Clements, 22, Claysville, PA - Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor

Darren Wilber Harrison, 25, Rapid City, SD - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Christopher Covey Dale Truax, 33, Rapid City, SD - Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor is 15 years if victim is under 14 years of age, and 10 years if between 14-17 years of age, up to life in federal prison; a $250,000 fine; any term of years, not less than 5, 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 Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet is 10 years up to life in federal prison; any term of years, not less than 5, 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 eight defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Agencies involved in the operation were DCI, HSI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 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.