Michael J. Fech, Child Pornography Charges, South Dakota 2014

A federal grand jury in South Dakota has indicted a man on child pornography charges.

According to the indictment, Michael J. Fech, a 30-year-old Captain in the U.S. Air Force, knowingly distributed and possessed computer files containing images of child pornography between December 2013 and June 2014 in Box Elder, South Dakota.

The penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of 5 years' imprisonment up to 20 years' imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, lifetime of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Fech appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 19, 2014, and pled not guilty to the indictment.

The investigation was conducted by the Pennington County Sheriff's Department, and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case.

Fech was released pending trial, with conditions limiting his use of the internet and contact with children. A trial date has not been set.

The charges are merely accusations, and Fech is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/box-elder-man-indicted-child-pornography-charges