United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sturgis, South Dakota, man for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography, and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor.

Bobby Allan Aldinger, age 52, was indicted in November of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on February 21, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, mandatory minimum of five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Aldinger attempting to sexually exploit an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a 14-year-old female.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case. 

Aldinger was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for May 2, 2023.