Nine men arrested in sex trafficking sting during Sturgis Rally

STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — Nine men have been arrested as the result of a sex trafficking sting operation during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

The South Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office says the operation began Aug. 6 and ended Aug. 12. The men range in age from 22 to 54. Eight of the men are from South Dakota.

They are charged with attempted enticement of a minor using the internet. The charge carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

One man from New York is charged with attempted commercial sex trafficking of a minor. That charge carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

The defendants are:

Alec Walker Daniel, 22, Rapid City, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Alexander Wayne Basaldu, 35, Rapid City, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Jesse James Young, 36, Rapid City, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Joshua Robert Lehmann, 34, Rapid City, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Christopher Thomas Dahl, 28, Wolcott, NY: Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor

Stephen Gregory Fontenot, 39, Black Hawk, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Anthony James Kemp, 54, Spearfish, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

James Dean Hanapel, 20, Ellsworth AFB: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

Clayton John Paulson, 36, Spearfish, South Dakota: Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet