Bryson Priest, Sexual Enticement of a Minor, South Dakota 2026

A disturbing crime has rocked the quiet town of Sturgis, South Dakota. Bryson Priest, 26, has been sentenced to 10 years and three months in federal prison for sexually enticing a minor using the internet. The sentencing took place on March 9, 2026, in Rapid City.

Priest was convicted of Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, a charge that carries severe penalties. According to court documents, between March 2021 and January 2023, Priest engaged in sexually explicit communications with a 15-year-old female minor. Priest was between 21 and 23 years old at the time.

As part of his twisted game, Priest persuaded the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct during their online communications. He then created images of the minor by taking screen shots with his cell phone of the images and videos she sent him. Priest was also in possession of other child sexual abuse material, discovered after law enforcement searched his accounts and devices.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children.

Priest was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after being sentenced. His crimes have left a community shaken and a family torn apart. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online predators and the importance of protecting our children.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Rapid City Police Department investigated the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Priest’s sentence includes 10 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $95 in restitution and $100 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Forfeiture was also ordered.

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