OPERATION SITE-KEY LEADS TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ARRESTS

(Pierre) – Four South Dakota men have been arrested for possession of child pornography. These arrests stem from the latest nation-wide child pornography sting. Operation Site-Key originated with a search warrant of Site-Key, a credit card verification service located in Santa Clara, California. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office seized a database of customers who had used the service to purchase or attempt to purchase child pornography over the internet. Approximately 30 South Dakota customers have been identified.

“We are aggressively pursuing the subscribers to these child pornography websites,” said Attorney General Larry Long. “These sites are disturbing because those viewing these materials may be capable of more dangerous activities.”

The men arrested are Scott Arlen Wells, Belle Fourche; Calvin Charles Luke, Salem; Richard Algon Buechler, Sioux Falls; and Craig Alan Worm, Dell Rapids. On June 12, 2003, Wells plead guilty to 2 counts of possession of child pornography. Sentencing for Scott Wells is scheduled on July 10, 2003, in Butte County. A motions hearing is scheduled for Calvin Luke on June 23, 2003, in McCook County. Richard Buechler’s arraignment is scheduled for June 26, 2003 in Minnehaha County and Craig Worm’s arraignment is scheduled on July 3, 2003 in Minnehaha County. These cases are being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office and the local States Attorney’s Offices.

Several cases remain under investigation by the Attorney General’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office.

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