Rapid City Man Sentenced for Attempted Child Porn Possession

A 26-year-old Rapid City man was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for attempting to possess child pornography. Darren Harrison was handed the sentence by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on July 20, 2021.

Harrison was also ordered to pay a total of $100 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund as part of his sentence. This is in addition to the prison time he will serve.

The case against Harrison began as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The operation targeted online predators, and Harrison was one of those who fell under scrutiny.

Through multiple online communications with a person Harrison believed to be a 15-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover agent, Harrison negotiated the time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts.

However, when Harrison went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor, he was instead met by law enforcement agents and placed under arrest.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Harrison was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his arrest. The sentence handed down to Harrison is a harsh reminder of the consequences of attempting to possess child pornography in the United States.

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