United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the indictment of a Box Elder, South Dakota woman on charges related to sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor. Duncan Sioux Witt, 28, originally from Kansas, was charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, Receipt of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography.
The indictment came in August 2024 from a federal grand jury. Witt was extradited from South Carolina after her arrest by the U.S. Marshals Service while employed at a private school. On November 22, 2024, she appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann and pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, Witt faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. She could also receive supervised release for life and be required to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may be ordered as well.
Witt previously worked at Douglas High School in Box Elder as a special education paraprofessional teacher’s aide. The alleged victim was one of her students receiving special education services when Witt's crimes allegedly occurred. In February 2024, she reportedly began sending sexually explicit messages and images via Snapchat to the student and encouraged him to reciprocate with similar content.
“These charges are merely accusations," officials stated; "Witt is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The project combines resources from federal, state, and local agencies to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
The investigation is being conducted by the Box Elder Police Department along with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox is handling prosecution duties.
Witt remains in custody under the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial scheduled for January 28, 2025.