Joseph Raleigh, Attempted Sex Trafficking, South Dakota 2015

Man Indicted for Attempted Sex Trafficking in South Dakota

A federal grand jury in South Dakota has indicted Joseph Raleigh, a 34-year-old man from Miller, for attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child and enticement of a minor using the internet.

According to the indictment, Raleigh used the internet to attempt to solicit a child to engage in a commercial sex act on October 16, 2015, in South Dakota.

The penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of 10 years in custody up to a maximum of life in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $5,000 assessment to the Domestic Trafficking Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Raleigh appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on October 21, 2015, and pled not guilty to the indictment. He was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

The investigation is being conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Pierre Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk Albertson and Tim Maher are prosecuting the case.

The charges are merely an accusation, and Raleigh is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, Raleigh could face a lengthy prison sentence, significant fines, and supervision for the rest of his life.

Raleigh’s case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of attempting to traffic children for commercial sex acts. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors continue to work together to bring individuals like Raleigh to justice and protect vulnerable victims.

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