A coalition of law enforcement agencies arrested seven men at the Sturgis Rally for alleged sex trafficking. Officials say the case highlights an increase in internet related sex crimes in South Dakota.
This arrested include:
Timothy Gravens, 54, Grapevine, Texas
Miguel Aguilar, 19, Brighton, Colorado
Michael Francis Fox Jr., 43, Owings Maryland
Scott Faulk, 29, Grand Junction, Colorado
Jerry Lane Golliher, 31, Rapid City, South Dakota
Eric D. Murphy 27, Rapid City, South Dakota
John Miller, 24, Rapid City, South Dakota
Two more arrests announced on Monday August 12, 2013 include:
James Eugene Larive Jr., 42, Belle Fourche
Curtis Ray Austin, 20, Rapid City
The Attorney's General's office notes these seven individuals are presumed innocent until such time as proven guilty.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the “Internet Crimes Against Children Unit” that made the arrests is comprised of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
“The attorney general is working with our law enforcement partners which includes the Rapid City Police Department, the Pennington County Sheriff as well as the FBI to really protect the public and address sex crimes that we’re seeing an increase here in South Dakota of,” says Jackley.
Jackley says he can’t elaborate on the details of the case as the investigation is on-going. But he does add that the arrests highlight the need to carefully watch the habits of children and teens on the internet. Sexual predators and sex traffickers can use social media sites like Facebook to take advantage of young people and lure then into dangerous situations.