HUGHES COUNTY, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW)
Lonna Carroll, the now retired former employee of the Department of Social Services, who is accused of embezzling $1.8 million from a Child Protection Services account over a 13-year period made her initial court appearance in Hughes County Circuit Court on Thursday July 25, 2024.
Attorney General Marty Jackley said the alleged embezzlement came to light in February 2024 when the Department of Social Services transitioned to a new record keeping system. Because of a change in state law in 2013, Carroll is being charged with two crimes, theft of more than $500,000 which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and theft of more than $100,000 which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Carroll is currently in custody in the Hughes County Jail in Pierre with her bond set at $50,000.