News | May 18th, 2017
By C.S. Hagen
FARGO - A federal officer who once hid cell phones in store dressing rooms to record females changing was found guilty and sentenced in Fargo for charges related to the exploitation of minors.
Michael David Rivera, 30, Bismarck, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson to seven years imprisonment, five years supervised release, and fines, after his conviction of Receipt of Images Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota.
Rivera
was indicted in North Dakota on October 6, 2016, but the State Attorney’s Office recused itself and the prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s, District of South Dakota. Rivera’s case was also transferred to Fargo since Rivera had a working relationship with courthouse employees in Bismarck, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota.
“It is appropriate that this former federal law enforcement officer faced a federal judge in North Dakota for his offenses,” U.S. Attorney, District of South Dakota Randolph J. Seiler said. “This case proves that no one is above the law, including those federal officers who have previously sworn an oath to protect and serve our nation.”
Rivera was a federal marshal who worked in the federal courthouse in Bismarck, and “had been surreptitiously recording a variety of women, including juveniles, while they were in fitting rooms or in other parts of area stores,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota press release stated. “Some of the surreptitious recordings captured women and minors in various states of undress while they were in fitting rooms provided by local stores.”
After search warrants were obtained when a Target customer made a complaint about finding a cell phone in the changing room, officers seized a computer from Rivera’s apartment and found more than 36 pictures and 52 videos including child pornography, some of whom were between the ages of six and 11.
Additionally, “the Internet was used by Rivera to access visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota reported.
Rivera was remanded back to state authorities to face state court proceedings later this summer. He is no longer employed with the U.S. Marshals Service.
September 19th 2024
June 20th 2024
April 18th 2024
April 18th 2024
April 18th 2024
__293px-wide.jpg)
By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.com The business of Indian Hating is a lucrative one. It’s historically been designed to dehumanize Native people so that it’s easier to take their land. ‘Kill the Indian, save the man,”…
SHSND delves into their ornament collectionBy Jenny Yearoushistory@nd.govIn 2017 we received Christmas ornaments from the North Dakota Former Governors’ Residence. The ornaments were gifts from local chapters of the Germans from…
Saturday, December 21, 7 p.m.Drekker Brewing, 1666 1st Avenue N, FargoEmbrace the naughty and celebrate the dark side of the solstice. From 7-close, Drekker’s mavens of mischief transform their taproom. There’s a photo booth,…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I’m really sick of the “Nobody wants to work anymore” narrative. Like, really sick. I can’t hide the eye rolls and I don’t even try to hide them anymore. In fact, I feel like they’ll…
By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA new type of Civil War: “smash-and grab” capitalism and healthcare The Divided States of America has the greatest economic inequality among wealthy nations on Planet Earth and has birthed a…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com In this land of hotdish and ham, the knoephla soup of German-Russian heritage seems to reign supreme. In my opinion though, the French have the superior soup. With a cheesy top layer, toasted baguette…
__300x100.jpg)
By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Local band Zero Place has been making quite a name for itself locally and regionally in the last few years. Despite getting its start during a time it seemed the whole world was coming to…
By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Writer-director Nicole Riegel’s sophomore feature “Dandelion” is now playing in theaters following a world premiere at South by Southwest in March. The movie stars KiKi Layne as the…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comIn 1974, the Jamestown Arts Center started as a small space above a downtown drugstore. It has grown to host multiple classrooms, a gallery, performance studio, ceramic studio and outdoor art park.…
By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…
By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…
By Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…
By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com On Dec 5, the Turning Point USA chapter at North Dakota State University hosted an event called BisonFest. This event featured Chloe Cole, a former trans kid, known for detransitioning and…
__300x100.jpg)
By Curtis W. Stofferahn, Ph.D.Curtis.stofferahn@email.und.edu In June, two events markedly contrasted the difference between two different visions of agriculture: precision agriculture and regenerative agriculture. The dedication…