A 38-year-old Spearfish man was sentenced Thursday to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to 13 counts of possessing child pornography. James Allen Frank will serve four years at the South Dakota State Penitentiary, with the remaining four years suspended under probation. During probation, he is barred from contact with minors, including his son, pending treatment.
Investigators found over 2,100 images and 220 videos on Frank’s phone, obtained via encrypted messaging app Telegram. The content was purchased from a menu of illegal categories, including child exploitation. The investigation was delayed due to Frank withholding his phone’s passcode.
Frank admitted guilt and expressed remorse in court. Prosecutors highlighted past allegations of sexual misconduct and argued possession fuels ongoing abuse. His attorney cited marital struggles and emphasized that Frank did not produce or distribute the material.
The judge weighed both mitigating and aggravating factors, ordered a psychosexual evaluation, and imposed $1,631 in court fees. Frank was taken into custody immediately following sentencing.
Comments