A Sturgis, South Dakota, man was sentenced on March 9 to more than ten years in federal prison after being convicted of enticement of a minor using the internet, according to United States Attorney Ron Parsons.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the Department of Justice to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. The sentencing reflects the seriousness with which these crimes are prosecuted under federal law.
Bryson Priest, age 26, received a sentence of 10 years and three months in federal prison. He will also serve five years of supervised release and must pay $95 in restitution along with $100 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Forfeiture was also ordered as part of his sentence. Priest was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2024 and pleaded guilty on November 21, 2025.
According to court records, between March 2021 and January 2023, Priest engaged in sexually explicit communications with a female minor who was 15 years old when their contact began. During this period, Priest persuaded the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct during online communications. He created images by taking screenshots or recording his cell phone screen while communicating with her via Snapchat. Law enforcement later discovered that Priest possessed additional child sexual abuse material after searching his accounts and devices.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation nationwide. The project brings together resources from federal, state, and local agencies to locate offenders and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The investigation involved the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Rapid City Police Department. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.
Priest was immediately remanded into custody following sentencing.
