John Ray Heath, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, South Dakota 2023

Rapid City Man Indicted for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

RAPID CITY – A 51-year-old Rapid City man faces serious charges after a federal grand jury indicted him for attempting to entice a minor using the internet.

John Ray Heath was indicted in March 2023 for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. According to reports, Heath attempted to engage an undercover law enforcement agent, posing as a 14-year-old female, in sexual activity between January and March 2023.

The maximum penalty for Heath’s conviction could be a mandatory minimum of 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count of conviction. Restitution may also be ordered.

Heath pleaded not guilty to the Indictment and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on March 24, 2023. The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama is prosecuting the case. Heath was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

The charge is merely an accusation, and Heath is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The community is advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Rapid City residents are urged to be aware of potential online threats and to educate themselves and their children on internet safety.

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