SIOUX FALLS – A Brookings man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of distribution and receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced Wednesday.
Tyler Powers, 25, was indicted Oct. 8. He pleaded not guilty to the indictment Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy.
The indictment alleges that on or about May 30, Powers knowingly received and distributed, and attempted to receive and distribute, child pornography that had been mailed, shipped and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, using a computer.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charge is merely an accusation, and Powers is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty, Parsons said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Clapper is prosecuting the case.
Powers was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for Dec. 17.
