Riley Sentenced for Child Porn

William Nicholas Riley, a 61-year-old man from Sturgis, South Dakota, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography. This sentence is a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which targeted internet predators.

Riley’s arrest and federal indictment came after he initiated sexual chats and sought images of child pornography from a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent. He then negotiated a time and place to meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Riley went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor, he was met by law enforcement and placed under arrest.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case, which resulted in Riley’s conviction and subsequent sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on November 22, 2021.

In addition to his six-year prison sentence, Riley will also be required to serve five years of supervised release. He has been ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and a $5,000 special assessment to the Victims of Trafficking Fund. Furthermore, Riley will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

The sentence handed down to Riley reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protecting vulnerable members of society. The use of undercover operations to target internet predators has proven to be an effective tool in combating child pornography and sex trafficking.

Riley was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the fight against sex crimes. As the community continues to grapple with the issue of child pornography and sex trafficking, the sentencing of William Nicholas Riley provides a measure of justice and accountability for his actions.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which draws thousands of visitors to the area each year, has also been a focus of law enforcement efforts to combat sex trafficking and child pornography. The operation that led to Riley’s arrest is part of a broader effort to protect vulnerable members of society and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes. As the investigation and prosecution of these crimes continue, it is clear that law enforcement agencies remain committed to keeping communities safe and bringing those who commit sex crimes to justice.

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