David Combe, accused of making threats against President Trump, is set to appear in South Dakota court today. Combe was arrested in South Dakota after being wanted in Arizona for sending a threatening letter to the President in September 2020, near the end of Trump’s first term. The letter allegedly contained a message saying he “would hunt down and kill the president,” along with white powder and the phrase “PS: enjoy the anthrax in the envelope.”
An unsettling event is unfolding again at Lake Byron, just north of Huron, where residents have been working to clean up thousands of dead snow geese washing up on shore. This marks the third consecutive year of this issue, but this time is by far the worst, with an estimated 20,000 birds already collected. The cause is believed to be a combination of the bird flu and a mild winter, which allowed the geese to remain in the area longer. Local authorities and residents are in the process of burying the dead birds on land owned by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
Four people are facing assault, drug charges, and charges related to outstanding warrants following their arrests in Canton on Saturday. Police responded to a report from a person who had been followed after leaving Inwood, Iowa, and claimed to have been assaulted by the suspects. The authorities tracked down the suspect vehicle at East 2nd Street and North Broadway. The individuals arrested have not yet been identified, and the investigation is still ongoing.
The investigation into the murder of Jacob Gallman Ringing Shield in Sioux Falls earlier this month is ongoing. Police responded to a violent incident on 8th Street and Indiana Avenue on Saturday, March 8th, where they discovered a man with a severe head injury following a fight.
A warning has been issued by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office regarding a new wave of scam phone calls. The caller informs victims that they have missed jury duty and that a warrant for their arrest has been issued. To avoid arrest, the scammer claims the individual can make a payment through PayPal to dismiss the charge. Authorities urge anyone receiving such calls to hang up immediately and avoid sharing personal information. Stay alert and report suspicious calls to local authorities.
Two people are in custody, but police are still searching for a third suspect in connection with an Amber Alert issued on Friday in Sioux Falls. Lelana Sittingup and Tianna Bluebird are accused of kidnapping a one-year-old boy at gunpoint from an apartment on Thursday night. The toddler was found the next day in a nearby apartment, leading to the arrests of Bluebird and another suspect. However, Sittingup, wanted on four warrants, remains at large. She faces charges of first-degree kidnapping, aggravated eluding, and fleeing from police. Sittingup also has a criminal history that includes drug charges and involvement in a high-speed chase. Bluebird is facing charges related to the kidnapping, while another suspect is charged with child abuse.
A 24-year-old airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Quinterius Chappelle, is facing a federal murder charge in connection with the death of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait. Sangrait, who was last seen in August, was found dead by a hiker near Hill City earlier this month. The investigation indicates that her death occurred on the base, granting the U.S. Attorney’s Office jurisdiction for prosecution. This tragic case has drawn attention to criminal activity involving military personnel.
A man from Chamberlain, Mitchell Old Lodge, has pleaded guilty to grand theft after stealing 45 bottles of liquor from County Fair over the course of a month. Last week, Old Lodge was sentenced to a two-year suspended prison sentence. As part of his sentence, he will serve two years of probation, spend 10 days in jail, and pay restitution of approximately $2,000 for the stolen liquor.
A woman from Mitchell, Tina Hauge, was sentenced last week after pleading guilty to methamphetamine possession. As part of a plea deal, additional charges against Hauge were dropped. She received a five-year suspended prison sentence, will serve 30 days in jail (with 18 days remaining), and will be on probation for two years. Hauge will also pay a $750 fine. The investigation began in October when Mark Leach, an employee of the Freedom Valu Center, was stopped by police and found with meth and drug paraphernalia. Further searches at Leach’s home and the Freedom Valu Center uncovered evidence of meth dealing and illegal prescription drugs, leading to Hauge’s sentencing and the previous conviction of another employee, Shelly Klapkin, in December. Leach, with a prior drug conviction, pleaded not guilty and is set for court again in May.
Mitchell man has changed his plea from not guilty to guilty in a rape charge related to a domestic incident in November 2024. Court documents show Azriel Fallis admitted to living with a minor and having sexual relations with her multiple times.