Multiple Defendants Indicted on Child Pornography

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that four South Dakota men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for several Child Pornography charges.

Derek Robert Schroeder, age 28, of Sioux Falls, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 17, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment charging him with Transportation of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.

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 $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund on each count.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between August 30, 2017, and January 22, 2018, Schroeder knowingly transported child pornography via a computer.  The Indictment also alleges that between February 4, 2018, and July 31, 2018, Schroeder knowingly accessed, with intent to view, and possessed on his phone materials which contained an image of child pornography, which had been shipped and transported in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

Eric Wallace Hedrick, age 45, of Sioux Falls, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 17, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment charging him with Receipt of Child Pornography.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between December 28, 2018, and May 28, 2019, Hedrick knowingly received and attempted to receive child pornography that has been mailed, shipped, and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer.

Joshua Robert Hein, age 47, of Yankton, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 17, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment charging him with Transportation of Child Pornography.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between November 1, 2018, and February 21, 2019, Hein knowingly transported child pornography via a computer, and by use of the internet uploaded graphic images and video files depicting one or more minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. 

Richard Charles Tellinghuisen, age 29, of Huron, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 18, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment charging him with Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.

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 $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund on each count.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between September 11, 2017, and September 12, 2018, Tellinghuisen knowingly received and distributed, and attempted to receive and distribute child pornography via a computer.  The Indictment also alleges that between January 16, 2017, and February 21, 2018, Tellinghuisen knowingly possessed and attempted to possess material containing an image of child pornography, which had been shipped and transported in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

All Defendants were indicted on July 9, 2019.

The charges are merely accusations and all Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper are prosecuting the cases.   

Schroeder, Hedrick, and Tellinghuisen were released on bond pending trial.  Hein was returned to State Custody pending trial.

Jury trials have been set for September 24, 2019.