United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Transportation for Prostitution was sentenced on January 23, 2017 by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Eric Sims, age 47, was sentenced to 21 months in custody, with 5 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Sims was indicted for Sex Trafficking Conspiracy by a federal grand jury on October 6, 2015. He pled guilty to Transportation for Prostitution on October 20, 2016.
Sims aided and abetted individuals engaging in acts of prostitution in Sioux Falls by providing them a place to stay while they pursued prostitution activities. Co-defendant Michael Dickey transported a female from Minnesota to South Dakota for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. Dickey posted advertisements on Backpage.com and received some of the proceeds from the commercial sex acts. Dickey was sentenced on August 29, 2016, to 30 months of incarceration for his participation in the prostitution activity.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Sims was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.