Sioux Falls Man Appears In Federal Court On Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking Charge

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking.

Elijah Wilson, age 24, was indicted on April 8, 2014. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on April 10, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of 15 years in custody and a maximum of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

Wilson attempted to recruit, entice and obtain a person who had not attained the age of 14 years, and knowing that the person would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

Wilson was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set for June 17, 2014.