RAPID CITY, SD – Hayden Sengua, 25, a former gymnastics coach, is facing federal charges after a grand jury indicted him on multiple counts of receiving and possessing child pornography. The indictment, handed down on June 26, 2025, alleges a disturbing collection of abuse imagery accumulated over years.
According to court documents, Sengua allegedly possessed more than 14,000 images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, some as young as infants and toddlers. The illicit material was found across two Google accounts and multiple electronic devices. The content isn’t limited to live-action depictions; investigators found computer-generated child pornography and images depicting children engaging in sex acts with animals.
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced the indictment, stating the charges stem from activity between May 2018 and January 2025. Sengua, who coached at Just Jymnastics in Rapid City until May 2024, previously held a coaching position in Oregon. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann.
The investigation took a chilling turn when authorities discovered images and videos potentially depicting children in the Rapid City area who may have been coached by Sengua. While these images, to date, haven’t been classified as child pornography and aren’t part of the current criminal charges, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is urging anyone with information to come forward. They can be reached at (605) 394-2298. The potential for further victims is a key focus of the ongoing investigation.
If convicted on each count of receiving child pornography, Sengua faces a mandatory minimum of five years, up to 20 years in custody, and/or a $250,000 fine, along with a mandatory minimum of five years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund per conviction. He also faces up to 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine for possession of child pornography. Restitution may also be ordered by the court.
Following a detention hearing on June 27, 2025, Sengua was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date is set for September 2, 2025. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The investigation is being conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox leading the prosecution. Remember, the charges are merely accusations, and Sengua is presumed innocent until proven guilty. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Related Federal Cases
- Joel Max Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of Child · Oregon
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- 23andMe Faces Lawsuit for Selling Genetic Data · Washington
- Joseph Schesso Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Distribution · Washington
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News