Hot Springs Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Hot Springs, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Attempted Enticement of a Minor, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, and Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography.  

Brian Lynn Spitzer, age 56, was charged on January 12, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on January 25, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  The penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of 15 years up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Spitzer attempting to sexually exploit an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a 14-year-old female.  The charges are merely an accusation and Spitzer is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case.

Spitzer was released on conditions pending trial.  A trial date has been set for March 30, 2021.