Aaron Williams Jr., 24, of Rapid City, was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted enticement of a minor and receipt of child pornography. The case began just one day after Williams completed probation for a prior child pornography conviction.
According to court documents, Williams communicated online with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, who was actually an undercover investigator with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. He arranged to meet her at a Taco Bell in Rapid City for sexual activity.
Upon his arrest, authorities seized Williams’ phone and discovered over 200 images and videos of child pornography, including material involving infants and toddlers. Williams declined to speak during sentencing.
Matthew Zook, 46, of Box Elder, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted enticement of a minor online. In April 2024, Zook used Snapchat to communicate with a 14-year-old girl and expressed intent to visit her home for sexual activity.
The girl informed a parent, who contacted law enforcement. Officers were waiting when Zook arrived and arrested him. While in the patrol car, Zook was recorded deleting the Snapchat app from his phone in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
During sentencing, Judge Camela Theeler emphasized the importance of protecting minors and the community. Following his prison term, Zook will serve five years of supervised release.
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