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