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.
Thankfully, despite the significant damage to both vehicles, no injuries were reported, and all five children on the bus were unharmed. The crash is still being looked into as investigators work to determine the cause.
South Dakota Governor Rhoden has signed two important Senate bills backed by Attorney General Marty Jackley, set to strengthen law enforcement and protect public safety. Senate Bill 58 focuses on enhancing human trafficking enforcement by revising key provisions and prohibiting obstruction of trafficking efforts. Senate Bill 59 aims to crack down on the possession and delivery of unauthorized items within state correctional facilities, addressing serious security concerns.
The Sioux Falls Convention Center has issued a warning about a fraudulent vendor show being promoted on social media. The event, called the Small Biz Spring Fling, has been shared on local arts and vendor pages, but the convention center clarified that no bookings have been made for the event, and the venue has not been reserved for the listed dates. Officials are urging the public not to contact the email provided in the post, as they believe it to be associated with a fake account.
Authorities have identified the man found deceased in Bon Homme County on Tuesday as 85-year-old George Verzani from Scotland, South Dakota. According to an update from the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and the DCI, surveillance footage shows Verzani walking through downtown Scotland early Tuesday morning.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is actively probing the death of an individual found in Bon Homme County. According to a press release from Attorney General Marty Jackley, the victim’s body was discovered on Tuesday in Scotland.
A Minnesota man is headed to prison for his role in a plan to sell meth in South Dakota. Francisco Mendez was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.