Spearfish Man Sentenced for Illegal Sexual Acts

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Spearfish, South Dakota, man convicted of Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Contact was sentenced on January 11, 2016, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Richard Melanson, age 53, was sentenced to 360 months in custody, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Melanson was indicted on April 8, 2014.  He pleaded guilty on August 24, 2015.

The conviction stems from Melanson traveling to Guatemala between January 2008 and June 2010, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual acts with minors.

This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Melanson was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.