Jerry Lane Golliher, Commercial Sex Trafficking, South Dakota 2013

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA – In a shocking display of depravity, nine men were arrested and federally indicted for Commercial Sex Trafficking following a sex trafficking undercover operation conducted during the 2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which ended August 11.

According to the indictment, all nine men allegedly negotiated with law enforcement agents posing as pimps, and agreed to pay for sex with underage girls, ranging from 12-15 years of age.

The arrests were a result of investigations by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The defendants, who hail from South Dakota and out-of-state, are facing serious charges.

The defendants include:

Jerry Lane Golliher, age 31, of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Eric D. Murphy, age 27, of Rapid City, South Dakota.

John Miller, age 24, of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Michael Francis Fox Jr., age 43, of Owings Mills, Maryland.

Scott B. Falk, age 29, of Kenai, Alaska.

Timothy Charles Gravens, age 54, of Grapevine, Texas.

Miguel Angel Aguilar, age 19, of Brighton, Colorado.

James Eugene Larive Jr., age 42, of Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

Curtis Ray Austin, age 20, of Rapid City, South Dakota.

The crime of Commercial Sex Trafficking carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10-15 years in prison up to a life maximum, and/or a $250,000 fine. The mandatory minimum prison sentence is determined by the age of the victim.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The undercover operation and arrests were a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins is prosecuting the cases.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins noted, ‘The South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is committed to protecting the children of South Dakota from these types of crimes.’

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