Sioux Empire Today

A Brookings, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of production of child pornography and cyberstalking. Jaykob Elijah Varner, 24, was charged in October 2024 and pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on October 8, 2024.

According to the indictment, between August 1, 2023, and April 13, 2024, Varner allegedly induced a minor female to create sexually explicit images and videos of herself and send them to him. It is further alleged that he used online applications to harass and intimidate the minor into compliance, causing her significant emotional distress.

If found guilty, Varner could face up to 30 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for life, restitution payments, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charges are accusations at this stage; Varner is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. This initiative involves collaboration between federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.

The investigation is being handled by Homeland Security Investigations with Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuting the case. Varner remains in custody with the U.S. Marshals Service awaiting trial; no trial date has been set.