SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Federal grand juries indict two Sioux Falls men on multiple counts of transportation of child pornography.
Jerry Zoppe, 45, and Herbert Sittingcrow, also 45, have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Federal prosecutors say the two men used the internet to send photos and videos of children engaging in sexually explicit activities.
If convicted, the men could face 40 years in federal prison or a $250,000 fine.
Both men are in custody. There is no trial date set yet.
Below are news releases from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of Transportation of Child Pornography.
Herbert Sittingcrow, age 45, was indicted on December 7, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on December 9, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between March 19, 2021, and October 21, 2021, Sittingcrow knowingly transported child pornography using the Internet. Sittingcrow uploaded graphic images and video files depicting one or more minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct into his Kik Messenger user account and Google email account.
The charges are merely accusations and Sittingcrow is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case. Sittingcrow was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
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Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of Transportation of Child Pornography.
Terry Zoppe, age 45, was indicted on December 7, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on December 13, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between September 19, 2017, and March 23, 2021, and again between April 18, 2020, and March 23, 2021, Zoppe knowingly transported child pornography using the Internet. Zoppe uploaded graphic images and video files depicting one or more minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct into his Google Photos account.
The charges are merely accusations and Zoppe is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
Zoppe was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
