United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell dropped a heavy hammer on Branden Tyler Bernard, 34, of Box Elder, South Dakota, announcing that the federal judge has sentenced him to serve a staggering 17 years for his sinister acts.
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Bernard was handed seven years in federal prison, following a state court sentence of 14 years for raping a 13-year-old girl. The sentences will be served consecutively, leaving Bernard behind bars for over a decade and a half. He also faces 10 years of supervised release and is ordered to pay $12,500 in restitution.
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The crime began when Bernard lured the young victim through Snapchat, using the platform as a tool for exploitation. The investigation uncovered a trove of hundreds of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material on his devices. Over 2,000 messages between Bernard and others discussing child pornography were also discovered.
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According to Ramsdell, ‘This is yet another case where Snapchat was used as a tool for sexual exploitation.’ The investigation involved collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce played a pivotal role in the discovery of the extensive child porn collection.
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Bernard’s guilty plea on March 21, 2025, capped his legal woes. Project Safe Childhood, an initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse, was instrumental in bringing Bernard to justice. The effort identifies victims, locates predators, and prosecutes individuals like Bernard.
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The grim case underscores the persistent threat of cybercrime against children. As law enforcement continues its relentless pursuit of such predators, the community is reminded of the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious activity.
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Related Federal Cases
- Bismarck Deputy Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography · South Dakota
- Sturgis Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Attempt · South Dakota
- Watertown Man Faces Child Pornography Charges · South Dakota
- Sioux Falls Man Indicted for Child Pornography Distribution · South Dakota
- Wentworth Man Charged with Child Pornography Distribution · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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