Sex offender admits to grooming SD girl, crossing state lines
Wednesday, Sean Payne, 33, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor, and bringing the girl across state lines for sex.
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KELOLAND News has been following this case since October. That's when authorities arrested Payne in Wyoming.
In the weeks leading up to his arrest, Payne admits to exchanging thousands of messages with the girl on Snapchat.
Payne has signed court documents detailing the illegal relationship.
He admits to grooming the victim and leading her to believe they were in a consensual relationship.
Payne told her they were moving across state lines so they could live together, and also told her he loved her.
When he's sentenced, Payne could face anywhere from 25 years to life in prison.
This wasn't his first run-in with the law.
Payne was convicted of sex crimes in Iowa in 2024. He is also wanted in Nebraska for assault charges.
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