Sioux Empire Today

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a joint sex-trafficking operation during the 2024 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally led to the arrest of seven men. The operation, conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Ellsworth AFB Office of Special Investigations, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department, took place from August 2 to August 8, 2024.

The arrested individuals are:

- Brockton Dominquez, 26, Rapid City – Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

- Eli Poorman, 20, Rapid City – Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor

- Dustin Day, 20, Piedmont – Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor

- Vance Coats, 25, Box Elder – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

- Brandon Bishop, 36, Rapid City – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

- Corey Simon, 36, Rapid City – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

- Aaron Ray Williams Jr., 23, Rapid City – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

“Once again, this operation demonstrates the sad reality that there are individuals in our communities who are using the Internet to target young girls for sex,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “We are grateful to our federal, state and local law enforcement partners who regularly collaborate to safeguard children across South Dakota. Because of their work, the Rapid City community is a little safer this week.”

The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor under fourteen years old is between fifteen and thirty years in federal prison; with any term not less than five years up to lifetime supervised release.

For Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet convictions carry penalties ranging from ten years up to life in federal prison; with any term not less than five years up to lifetime supervised release.

The charges remain accusations at this stage; all seven defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative involves federal prosecutors working alongside state and local resources to locate and prosecute offenders while rescuing victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox is handling these prosecutions federally.