United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Possession of Child Pornography was sentenced on November 15, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Sharon Dvorak, age 49, was sentenced to time served, 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Dvorak was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 5, 2019.  She pled guilty on August 5, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between on or about July 16, 2018, and July 19, 2018, when Dvorak knowingly possessed child pornography that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer. 

While on Facebook, Dvorak communicated with three individuals on the internet.  Their messages were sexual in nature and they exchanged images of child pornography.  Some of the images included prepubescent children.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography.

Sharon Dvorak, age 49, was indicted on March 5, 2019.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on March 11, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that between July 16, 2018, and July 10, 2018, Dvorak knowingly received and distributed, and attempted to receive and distribute, any child pornography, that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer.  

The charge is merely an accusation and Dvorak is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

Dvorak was released on bond pending trial, which has not been set.