Study faces 10 felony counts for sexual exploitation of a child

Manderson infant’s autopsy produces no further charges

Destynie Study of Manderson faces 10 felony charges of sexual exploitation of a child after Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation discovered child pornography on her phone, which was seized during the investigation of the suspicious death of her infant son in July. 

An affidavit of probable cause dated October 28 reports that DCI Special Agent Anthony Giles conducted a manual review of Study’s phone in accordance with a search warrant issued by Judge William Simpson for evidence regarding the death investigation, drugs and child neglect. He discovered a “hidden” folder containing photos and videos depicting Study in sexual acts, as well as at least two prepubescent females being raped from the first-person view. 

“It was obvious that the victims depicted in these films were not of age and that the possession of such material is against Wyoming State Law,” Special Agent McCloud of the Cody DCI office wrote in an email to the DCI Computer Crime Team. A data extraction was conducted on the device, and photos and messages were discovered which appeared to show Study involved in selling or distributing sexually explicit photographs and videos. None of those distributed files appeared to be child pornography, according to the affidavit. 

In total, the investigation found 50 files depicting child pornography on the device, 40 of which were frames extracted from five main visually and binary-unique video files that had been duplicated. DCI Special Agent Wilson, who conducted the data review, did not discover any messages confirming Study delivered or sold any of the child pornography on her phone, though the affidavit states that Wilson believed it probable that the files were possessed with that intent. 

On October 26, Study was interviewed by McCloud and Giles at Big Horn County Detention Center. She confirmed she knew the child pornography was on her phone and claimed she had kept the files because she knew there was a market for the material online. Study further explained that she advertised the files of child pornography for sale using social media accounts, and after receiving payment, instead delivered files depicting herself and other adults, never sending or delivering child pornography. 

Ten total felony charges were filed against Study in Big Horn County Circuit Court on November 2; five related to possession of child pornography and five for possession of child pornography with intent to deliver. Each charge of possession is punishable by imprisonment not more than 10 years and a fine up to $10,000; each charge of possession with intent to distribute holds a sentence of 5-12 years and a maximum fine of $10,000. 

At Study’s initial appearance in Big Horn County Circuit Court Monday, Nov. 2, Magistrate Randy Royal set a $75,000 cash-only bond. Big Horn County Attorney Marcia Bean requested a no-contact bond requirement, with Michael Sinchetru noted as a potential co-defendant. 

INFANT CAUSE OF DEATH

Destynie Study and her father Travis Study have both pled not guilty to charges resulting from the unattended death of Destynie Study’s 2-month-old son in the family’s residence in Manderson July 6. Animal and human feces, garbage, and drug paraphernalia were found in the 95ºF trailer by DCI after Destynie Study reported the death. 

Travis Study was charged with endangering a child via exposure to methamphetamine, plus four misdemeanor charges: reckless endangering, endangering a child, possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana. In the case of a maximum consecutive sentence, the charges would constitute up to nine years in prison, an $8,750 fine or both.

Destynie Study received misdemeanor charges of reckless endangering and endangering a child, both with one-year maximum sentences.

Bean reported that an autopsy on the Study infant was performed August 7 in Billings, Mont., with results relayed to her office on August 28. The cause of death was determined to be “unexplained sudden death,” the manner of death “undetermined.”

“I spoke with the pathologist who performed the autopsy to get clarification on the findings and to determine whether criminal charges could be filed against the Studys related to the child’s death,” Bean wrote in a statement to the Standard. “The pathologist informed me that he could not testify with ‘any degree of medical certainty’ that the conditions under which the infant was living and sleeping caused the child’s death.”

Bean reportedly contacted two other independent pathologists who came to the same conclusion, as well as confirming the law enforcement agencies’ investigation was thorough and complete. 

“Because of the autopsy findings and the statements by the three pathologists, the State is not able to file criminal charges against the Studys at this time, as the evidence establishing wrongdoing that caused the death cannot be established,” Bean said. “My office commends the work of the various law enforcement agencies that investigated and/or assisted in the investigation of this incident. If new or additional information becomes available, my office will work closely with law enforcement to determine if criminal charges can be brought at that time.”