October 20, 2009
Rapid City, SD
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Allexander Klynsma, age 20, of Rapid City, appeared before U.S. District Judge Richard H. Battey on October 20, 2009, and pleaded guilty to Possession of Child Pornography. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. Klynsma owned and possessed a homemade computer tower to which he downloaded and maintained computer files containing over 600 images of child pornography. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg S. Peterman. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for January 5, 2010. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing. This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Justice Department launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood coordinates federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/. # # # |
