RAPID CITY – In a disturbing case of internet predators, James Dean Hanapel, a 22-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, has been convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet following a 3-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The verdict was returned on April 13, 2023, after Hanapel was found guilty of sending multiple chats and sexually explicit text messages to a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Hanapel negotiated a time and place to meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. However, when he arrived at the pre-determined location, he was instead met by law enforcement agents and placed under arrest.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006. The project marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.
Hanapel faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, five years up to lifetime of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, Homeland Security Investigations, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Related Federal Cases
- Bryson Priest, Sexual Enticement of a Minor, South Dakota 2026 · Florida
- Brady James Claymore, Abusive Sexual Contact, South Dakota 2024 · Florida
- Tyrel DeMarrias, Sexual Assault of a Minor, South Dakota 2013 · Florida
- Adam Standing Soldier, Sexual Assault of a Minor, South Dakota 2012 · Florida
- Sylvan Larrabee, Sexual Contact with a Minor, South Dakota 2017 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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