Mitchell Man Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

(Pierre) -Justin Douglas Brende, 23, of Mitchell was arrested July 18, on 10 counts of possession of child pornography.

An investigation conducted by the Mitchell Police Department and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation uncovered numerous images of child pornography on Brende’s computer. A tip received from an informant led to that investigation.

Each of the counts against Brende is a class four felony punishable by 10 years in prison and $10,000 per count. A new law established during the 2002 legislative session increased sentencing and fines for possession of child pornography from 2 years in prison and a $2,000 fine per count to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine per count. The new law went into effect July 1. 

Brende is currently out on bail. 

The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and Davison County State’s Attorney Pat Smith will prosecute the case. 

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