California Man Charged With Sexual Exploitation Of A Child And Distribution Of Material Involving The Sexual Exploitation Of Minors

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sacramento, California, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Distribution of Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors.

Neal LaPointe, age 30, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2013.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 22, 2013, and pled not guilty to the indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 30 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; life of supervised release; and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge is merely an accusation and LaPointe is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, Sioux Falls Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.  U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tim Maher and Sarah Collins are prosecuting the case.

 LaPointe was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has been set for September 10, 2013.