The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is once again touting its war on child sex trafficking during the Sturgis Rally, even though it appears not be catching any actual child sex traffickers or finding any actual children being sold as sex slaves:
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, along with other agencies, announced five men were arrested this week as the result of a sex trafficking sting at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The operation began on August 4 and continued through August 10.
Four of the men were from Rapid City. They were identified as 35-year-old Burton Dave Chief Jr, 41-year-old James Halen Dreamer, 45-year-old James Peter Fast Horse and 38-year-old Jacob Chinni Wilson. Chief Jr. was arrested for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor while the other three were arrested for Attempted Inticement of a Minor Using the Internet.
Also arrested was 42-year-old Vincent Alberto Barrios of Box Elder. He, too, was arrested for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet.
All five men face prison sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years if convicted.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse [Gary Matthews, “Rally Sex Trafficking Operation Nets Five Individuals,” KBHB Radio, 2023.08.12].
If child sexploitation and abuse is “epidemic”, you’d think actual instances of child sex slavery would be pretty easy for cops to find. But all South Dakota cops appear able to find are easily duped customers, not real traffickers or victims.
I could not agree more, just a group of locals, use Sturgis as a platform forget about it for another year.
I’m glad the DCI is out there…their presence is known and is a threat to traffickers.
Epidemic is probably the wrong term, but it’s good these clowns were caught, local or.not.
Busting the addicts – but not the dealers.
The DCI are a bunch of nut-grabbing buffoons. I have seen them in action several times.
They had the whole rest of the year to catch local pervs. Every year they round up a handful of local Native guys as sacrifice for their mandatory assignment. I cannot recall off the rip DCI ever convicting sex traffickers doing business during the rally. It is hardly believable with all the drug trafficking they’re able to bust, there are no people being trafficked as well. Nnnnokay.