Sioux Falls Man Charged with Distribution and Receipt of Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Possession of Child Pornography

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for distribution and receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors and possession of child pornography.

Avugwi Alvarez, age 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2013. He appeared before Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 20, 2013, and pled not guilty to the indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; life of supervised release; and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to allegations that, between approximately November 1, 2012 to January 7, 2013, Alvarez used the Internet to distribute visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He also possessed images of child pornography.

The charges are merely an accusation, and Alvarez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, Sioux Falls Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tim Maher and Sarah Collins are prosecuting the case.

Alvarez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.