Eric Murphy, Attempted Sex Trafficking, South Dakota 2024

Attempted Sex Trafficking Lands Rapid City Man 10 Years Behind Bars

Rapid City, SD – In a shocking case of attempted child sex trafficking, Eric Murphy, a 28-year-old man from Rapid City, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. The harsh sentence was handed down by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken of the U.S. District Court on January 27, 2014. In addition to his prison term, Murphy will have to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and register as a sex offender.

Murphy’s downward spiral into crime began on August 3, 2013, during the Sturgis Bike Rally, when he was arrested as part of a sex-trafficking undercover operation. The investigation, led by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, revealed that Murphy had responded to a law enforcement-generated Internet advertisement that advertised sex with a 12 or 13-year-old girl.

Under the guise of a pimp, an undercover agent posed as the individual who could provide the young girl, and Murphy negotiated the terms of the sexual encounter. His plan was foiled when he met with the undercover agent, and he was subsequently arrested.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins prosecuted the case, while the investigation involved a multi-agency effort from the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Meade County Sheriff’s Office.

Murphy was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after his arrest. His sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of attempting to traffic children for sex. As the investigation revealed, Murphy’s actions were a clear attempt to exploit a vulnerable child, and his sentence reflects the severity of this crime.

The case highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in combating human trafficking. The South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, in particular, has been instrumental in preventing child sex trafficking in the state. Their tireless efforts have resulted in the arrest and conviction of numerous individuals, including Murphy, who pose a threat to the safety and well-being of children.

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