A woman from Summerset, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for multiple offenses related to the sexual exploitation of minors across several states. U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier handed down the sentence on January 3, 2025, after Emily Nicole Yeary was convicted of seven federal criminal offenses. These include Enticement to Travel for Illegal Sexual Activity, Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity, Possession of Child Pornography, Obstruction of Justice, Tampering with a Witness, and Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor.
Yeary, aged 26, will also face five years of supervised release following her prison term. She is required to pay a $700 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $3,000 in restitution to one victim. Another victim's family plans to request restitution at a later date. Additionally, Yeary must compensate the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for forensic examinations conducted on her devices.
U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell described the case as "among the most heinous cases of child exploitation our office has prosecuted," highlighting Yeary's actions as "reprehensible" and "unforgivable." Ramsdell praised law enforcement agencies for their thorough investigation that exposed Yeary's criminal activities.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley commended state and local law enforcement agencies for their cooperation across state lines in protecting young victims and holding offenders accountable.
The charges against Yeary stemmed from an investigation initiated after her arrest by the South Dakota Highway Patrol in June 2022 when she was found with a missing 14-year-old girl from Mississippi in her vehicle. The multistate investigation revealed that Yeary had exploited multiple minors from Mississippi, Kentucky, Florida, and Missouri over several years.
Yeary used social media platforms like TikTok under false identities to gain access to minor females and convinced them to run away with her. Her illegal activities included crossing state lines with intentions of engaging in illicit sexual activity with minors.
While in custody at Pennington County Jail following her arrest in Rapid City, Yeary attempted to persuade one victim not to testify against her and tried influencing another victim through this individual.
This case was part of Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation—leveraging resources from various federal and local entities.
The investigation involved numerous law enforcement agencies including the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force among others across different states.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox led the prosecution against Yeary who has been remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service immediately following sentencing.