Mitchell Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Mark Stephen Gullings, 44, of Mitchell, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on January 5, 2026, for the production of child pornography.

The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier, also includes five years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Following his release from federal custody, Gullings will be required to register as a sex offender.

Details of the Case

The federal conviction stems from a series of incidents in October 2022. Investigators found that Gullings used his cell phone to secretly take photos of a minor female who was living in his home and under his care.

According to court documents, Gullings photographed the juvenile while she was in the bathroom, sliding his phone under the door or holding it over the shower curtain to capture images of her genital area for his sexual gratification.

Legal Timeline

Gullings was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025 and entered a guilty plea on October 8, 2025. Following the sentencing hearing on Monday, he was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin his 15-year term.

A Collaborative Investigation

The successful prosecution was the result of a multi-agency effort involving:

·        The Brandon Police Department

·        Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

·        The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb handled the prosecution for the District of South Dakota.

About Project Safe Childhood

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program coordinates federal, state, and local resources to locate and prosecute predators and to identify and rescue victims.

For more information on the initiative or to learn how to help protect children in your community, visit justice.gov/psc.