MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — A Mitchell man has been sentenced to 85 years in prison on each of two first-degree rape charges involving victims younger than 13, according to the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.
Eric Mark Opperman, 49, was sentenced Friday in Davison County Circuit Court after previously pleading no contest to both charges. The two 85-year sentences will be served concurrently.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said one charge involved a 5-year-old victim and conduct that occurred between January 2013 and January 2014. The second charge involved a 12-year-old victim and conduct that occurred between January 2017 and January 2025.
“This sentence reflects the gravity of these crimes and affirms our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us,” Jackley said. “I want to thank the victims and their families for their courage in coming forward, as well as the investigators and staff who worked tirelessly on this case.”
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Mitchell Police Department investigated the case. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and Davison County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuted.
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