Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
A Rapid City man has been sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted enticement of a minor using the internet. U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler handed down the sentence on September 29, 2025.
Matthew Zook, age 46, received a sentence of ten years and one month in federal prison. He will also serve five years of supervised release following his prison term. In addition, he was ordered to pay $95 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The court also ordered forfeiture.
Zook was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024 and pleaded guilty on July 15, 2025.
According to court records, Zook used Snapchat in April 2024 to communicate with a 14-year-old girl. During these communications, Zook discussed sexual topics and described his intentions regarding birth control and sex acts with the minor. He told the girl that he wanted to have sex with her because his mother was sick and his girlfriend was upset with him. On April 20, 2024, just after midnight, Zook drove to the girl's house and parked in her driveway. The minor had previously informed one of her parents about the communication, who then contacted law enforcement. Police arrested Zook while he was still parked at the residence.
Zook has a prior conviction from 2012 for Fourth Degree Rape of a minor when he was 33 years old; for that offense he received a suspended prison sentence.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. "Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims," according to information provided by authorities. More details about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The investigation involved the Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.
Following sentencing, Zook was remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
