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Sturgis Man Sentenced to Over 6 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Charges

Carl Wahl, 55, of Sturgis, South Dakota, was sentenced on August 17, 2026, to six years and three months in federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced on August 26, 2026.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 26, 2026, 11:52 a.m. ET
Developing · checked 41 min ago

This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.

We last searched for new coverage of this at Aug 26, 2026, 2:08 p.m. ET — checked 41 min ago.

A Sturgis, South Dakota, man was on August 17, 2026, to six years and three months in federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Dakota announced on August 26, 2026. Carl Wahl, 55, was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release, pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each charge, and pay $30,285 in restitution. Forfeiture was also ordered, the office said. Wahl was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025 and pleaded guilty on April 1, 2026. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, between May and August 2023, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received CyberTips for investigation. A search warrant for Wahl's residence and electronic devices was obtained, and examination of his HP laptop and two cellphones revealed visual depictions of child sexual abuse material that Wahl knowingly and intentionally viewed, possessed, and received using the internet. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. It was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Investigation's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff's Office. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox and Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case. Wahl was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

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  1. Version 126 Aug 2026, 15:52current

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