In a shocking case of online exploitation, a Sioux Falls man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor using the internet.
Kalvin Michael Frankus, 37, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 10, 2024, when Frankus attempted to have a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old female, who turned out to be an undercover law enforcement officer posing as the teenager.
Frankus drove to the agreed location and was arrested, marking the end of a lengthy investigation by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Frankus was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after being sentenced on January 6, 2025, in U.S. District Court.
This case highlights the growing concern of online child exploitation and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat this epidemic.
Frankus must register as a sex offender once released from federal prison, serving as a reminder of the severity of the crime.
The Federal Crime Victims Fund will receive $100 from Frankus as part of his sentence.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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