A Belle Fourche woman charged with possession of child pornography, solicitation of a minor, and witness tampering was in court Monday where she changed pleas she originally entered April 20 related to the charges.
Caitlin Rosales, 19, and her father, Jeremy Rosales, 42, were arrested Feb. 18 by Belle Fourche Police officers. Each was charged with two Class 4 felonies related to the allegations after an anonymous source reported online communications to police between the elder Rosales and a 15-year-old female.
During interviews with police officers, both Jeremy and Caitlin allegedly admitted to the allegations.
Caitlin was arrested again March 8 on witness tampering charges for allegedly threatening the juvenile victim of the original offense.
The original witness tampering complaint against Rosales was amended on June 17 by the Butte County State’s Attorney Cassie Wendt, to include a second count of contributing to the abuse or neglect of a child, a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment in a county jail or $2,000 fine, or both.
At Monday’s hearing Rosales pleaded guilty to witness tampering and contributing to the abuse or neglect of a child whilst the possession of child pornography and solicitation of minor charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement between herself and Wendt.
Both possession of child pornography and solicitation of a minor are Class 4 felonies, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment in state penitentiary and a fine of up to $20,000. Witness tampering is also a Class 4 felony.
Presiding over the case, Fourth Circuit Court Judge Michael Day ordered a presentence investigation report. The purpose of the investigation is to investigate the history of a person convicted of a crime before sentencing to determine if there are extenuating circumstances, which should ameliorate the sentence, or a history of criminal behavior to increase the harshness of the sentence.
Rosales’ sentencing hearing has been set for Sept. 28.