A Fairbanks resident, Dahkota Mitchell, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release. This sentence is for attempting to produce child pornography and enticing a minor. The sentencing took place after Mitchell pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
Court documents reveal that on July 7, 2023, an undercover law enforcement official posed as a 12-year-old girl in an Alaskan chat group known for being used by individuals seeking sexual encounters with minors. Shortly after the ad was posted, Mitchell began communicating with the undercover officer. Over several months, their conversations included requests for explicit content and plans for an in-person meeting involving sexual activities.
Mitchell had arranged to meet the supposed minor and requested she bring an 11-year-old friend for the encounter. Although he initially planned to meet in Anchorage on November 17, 2023, he ceased communication before the meeting could occur. However, he resumed contact on November 25 and arranged another meeting for November 28 at an Anchorage hotel where he was subsequently arrested.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker emphasized the seriousness of Mitchell's actions: “Child predators target Alaska’s most vulnerable, leaving lasting harm in their wake." Tucker assured that this sentence would help safeguard communities through close monitoring of Mitchell over many years.
Special Agent Rebecca Day from the FBI Anchorage Field Office stated: “Protecting children from online predators is a priority for the FBI and our law enforcement partners across Alaska.” She highlighted that such predators would be identified and held accountable.
The case was investigated by the FBI Anchorage Field Office and Anchorage Police Department under the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek prosecuted it as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation via federal resources combined with state and local efforts.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood visit www.justice.gov/psc.