ICE HSI, South Dakota partners, arrest 5 men in child predator sting operation
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Five men were arrested in eastern South Dakota this week as a result of an online sex sting aimed at child predators.
This case was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, the U.S. Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations, and the FBI.
“This successful operation illuminates the continued threat child predators pose to our children,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Jamie Holt for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) St. Paul. “I want to thank our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for teaming with us, and the South Dakota DCI’s ICAC task force, in this very important work.”
The joint investigation into online sex crimes ran from March 6, through March 10, culminating in the arrest of five men from South Dakota.
The five South Dakota men arrested included the following, each charged under federal law with attempted enticement of a minor using the internet:
- Kent Mews, 55, Sioux Falls,
- Zachary Murray, 35, Brookings,
- Sky Thomas Roubideaux, 22, Tea,
- Elliott Anderson, 25, Sioux Falls,
- Jordan Matthew Hermanson, 31, Sioux Falls.
The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction is 10 years, with a maximum of life, in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years minimum of supervised release (up to life) and $100 fine to be paid to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges are merely accusations, and all five Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The cases are being federally prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper.
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.
HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
Learn more about HSI Sioux falls at @HSISaintPaul.
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