Reliance man pleads guilty to child porn charge

PIERRE — A Reliance man has admitted to accessing child pornography.

Douglas Fletcher, 68, pleaded guilty to the charge Wednesday in Pierre. He admitted that he had accessed images of child pornography on his home computer.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000.

On Nov. 17, 2009, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Fletcher’s home. Investigators seized his computer and multiple hard drives. Forensic examinations revealed images of child pornography on three of the seized hard drives.

The investigation was conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Lyman County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Homeland Security. A presentence investigation was ordered. Fletcher is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 15.

Fletcher remains in custody.

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