(KXLG – Watertown, SD) A new update in the case involving Ted Jeffery “TJ” Hurkes, of Watertown, SD, adds federal charges as a federal grand jury indicts Hurkes for two counts of “production of child pornography and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography.”
Hurkes, 44, was indicted in February of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 24, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
Hurkes is now in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, set for May 2, 2023.
It’s stated in the release, “the Indictment alleges that on October 2, 2022, and again on November 12, 2022, Hurkes knowingly employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.”
The release continues, “The Indictment also alleges that between on or about October 2, 2022, and January 13, 2023, Hurkes knowingly received and distributed, and attempted to receive and distribute, any child pornography that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer.”
Homeland Security Investigations and the Watertown Police Department are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
The charges are merely accusations, and Hurkes is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
