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Six Arrested For Soliciting Child Sex

Six men face felony charges for soliciting sex with children. A sting operation based in Sioux Falls targeted potential predators.

The state’s division of criminal investigation worked with city and county law enforcement on Thursday Friday and Saturday on a sex trafficking investigation. They posted ads online selling sex with children, and six men showed up for a meeting. They range in age from 25 to 35.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says two of the men charged are from Sioux Falls, three live in Iowa, and one is from Guatemala.

"Much of what like what we’ve been seeing in the other operations is a presence coming from out of state, coming to South Dakota and looking for children," Jackley says. "So, from a law enforcement perspective, it was a successful operation because there were contacts, there were arrests, and hopefully children have been protected by the hard work of the men and women involved in the operations."

Jackley says the six men each face one count of solicitation of a minor, which carries up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. One suspect faces an additional charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).