Nine charged in Sturgis Rally sex trafficking sting

STURGIS, S.D. — Every year, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings in hundreds of thousands of tourists to the Black Hills, and with the rise in tourists comes a rise in certain crimes.

During the Rally every year, multiple agencies throughout South Dakota conduct stings on sex trafficking operations. In 2021, nine men have been arrested and charged with a variety of offenses.

• Alec W. Daniel, 22, Rapid City, S.D.
  • Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
• Alexander W. Basaldu, 35, Rapid City, S.D.
  • Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
• Jesse J. Young, 36, Rapid City, S.D.
  • Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
• Joshua R. Lehmann, 34, Rapid City, S.D.
  • Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
• James D. Hanapel, 20, Ellsworth A.F.B.
  • Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
• Stephen G. Fontenot, 39, Black Hawk, S.D.
  • Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
• Anthony J. Kemp, 54, Spearfish, S.D.
  • Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
• Clayton J. Paulson, 36, Spearfish, S.D.
  • Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet
• Christopher T. Dahl, 28, Wolcott, N.Y.
  • Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor

The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet is 10 years up to life in federal prison; any term of years, not less than five, up to lifetime supervised release; $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and a $5,000 assessment if not indigent. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges are merely accusations and all nine defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The agencies involved in the operation were the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ellsworth AFB Office of Special Investigations, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.