MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — A former Yankton County chief deputy sheriff has been indicted on two felony evidence charges, according to South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.
Michael Rothschadl, 56, was indicted by a Yankton County grand jury on one count each of offering forged or fraudulent evidence and falsification of evidence.
Jackley said Rothschadl allegedly changed information in a law enforcement criminal report on April 1, 2021. Rothschadl was serving as Yankton County’s chief deputy sheriff at the time of the alleged incident.
His first court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, in Yankton County Circuit Court.
If convicted, Rothschadl faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for offering forged or fraudulent evidence and two years for falsification of evidence.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute it.
The charges are allegations. Rothschadl is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.