Related Federal Cases
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Washington
- Amgen Inc. $71M Settlement · Washington
- Live Nation & Ticketmaster Face Antitrust Fight in NY · Washington
- Election Day Sabotage Foiled · Washington
Sex Traffickers Caught in Sturgis Sting
A group of five sex traffickers have been arrested and charged with Commercial Sex Trafficking after a sting operation during the 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
According to the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the five men allegedly negotiated with law enforcement agents posing as pimps and agreed to pay for sex with underage girls ranging from 12-15 years of age.
The defendants, who are from out-of-state, were identified as Robert Clyde, 65, of Fayetteville, North Carolina; Walter Curaba, 44, of Glendora, California; Timithy Fielding, 50, of Centerville, Pennsylvania; Phillip Holden, 23, of Broken Bow, Nebraska; and Alexandros Thymaras, 32, of Calgary, Canada.
All five of the federal defendants are in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and made an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Rapid City on August 12, 2014.
The crime of Commercial Sex Trafficking carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10-15 years in prison up to a life maximum, and/or a $250,000 fine. The mandatory minimum prison sentence is determined by the age of the victim.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The undercover operation and arrests were a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Meade County State’s Attorney’s office, Meade County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins is prosecuting the cases.
RELATED: Guilty Verdict in Timothy Guess Drug Trafficking Case
RELATED: Mazone, Donaldson Sentenced in Drug Ring Bust
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Human Trafficking|Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News