United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Matthew Charles Ratliff, a resident of Black Hawk, South Dakota, has been sentenced to federal prison for receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier delivered the sentence on July 11, 2025.
Ratliff, aged 51, received a sentence of five years and three months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution to online victims and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Additionally, he must register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
In May 2023, Ratliff was indicted by a federal grand jury for receipt and possession of child pornography. He entered a guilty plea on April 7, 2025.
The case originated from a Cybertip indicating that Ratliff was downloading and viewing images depicting young children being sexually abused. Searches conducted on his devices uncovered approximately 280 images of child sexual abuse material. During sentencing, Judge Schreier highlighted the re-victimization experienced by children each time such images are viewed. Some victims have been identified and Ratliff is required to pay restitution to them.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth led the prosecution.
Following sentencing, Ratliff was remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
