Related Federal Cases
Texas Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking
South Dakota – Timothy Charles Gravens, 54, of Grapevine, Texas, has been convicted of commercial sex trafficking after a sting operation during the 2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Gravens appeared before Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court, on March 12, 2014, and entered a guilty plea to the charges.
The maximum sentence for this charge is a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in federal prison, up to a maximum of life in prison, and/or a $250,000 fine.
Gravens was one of nine men arrested and federally indicted as a result of the sex trafficking undercover operation targeting persons wanting to have sex with underage girls.
This conviction is a significant blow to those involved in sex trafficking in South Dakota, said U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson.
Gravens was arrested when he responded to a Craigslist.com advertisement offering young girls for sex and negotiated the arrangements with the undercover agent, including the price he was willing to pay to have sex with the young girl.
The conviction stems from the undercover operation and the five other defendants have already pleaded guilty. One has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, and the other four await sentencing. The remaining four are scheduled for trial.
The operation was a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins is prosecuting the cases.
RELATED: 373 Charged in Texas Border Enforcement
RELATED: Dog Breeder Faces Federal Charges for Horrific Conditions
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes