Rickey Lee Crain, Child Exploitation, South Dakota 2017

State: South Dakota
Category: Sex Crimes
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/ellsworth-air-force-base-man-indicted-illegal-use-internet" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

A shocking indictment has been brought against Rickey Lee Crain, a 27-year-old man from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, for allegedly using the internet to groom and exploit a minor.

According to the indictment, Crain used a cell phone and a computer to send obscene material to a minor and to engage in sexually explicit conduct with a female he believed to be 13-years old. The charges are Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, and Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor.

The indictment was handed down on January 24, 2017, and Crain appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on January 27, 2017. He pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

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

Crain’s case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins, who is prosecuting the case. The investigation is being conducted by the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce.

Crain was released pending trial, but the allegations against him are serious and warrant close attention. The charges are merely an accusation, and Crain is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This disturbing case highlights the importance of online safety and the need for vigilance in protecting our children from predators like Rickey Lee Crain.

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