A registered sex offender, Rodney Johnson, has been arrested on suspicion of loitering near Sonia Sotomayor Elementary School in Sioux Falls. Johnson, convicted in 2021 for possessing child pornography, was observed driving slowly around the school on multiple occasions.
A second suspect has been arrested in connection to the kidnapping of a seven-month-old from Sioux Falls. Chosen Butler was found with Betty Cross in Detroit, where she, and Taylor Edwards were taken into custody.
Sioux Falls area law enforcement officials are sounding the alarm over a troubling increase in assaults against officers. Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead voiced his concerns during a joint news conference on Friday.
Forty-five students are set to graduate this week from the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy in Pierre. After 13 weeks of rigorous training, which covers law, arrest control tactics, firearms, criminal investigations, and more, the ceremony will take place today at 10 a.m. at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center.
A hiker made a disturbing discovery in Pennington County on Tuesday afternoon, finding a badly decomposed body south of Hill City around 1:00 p.m. Deputies responded to the scene, and officials are now working with local, state, and federal agencies to review missing persons cases in the area. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Rapid City Police Department, is investigating the victim’s identity and cause of death. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover more details surrounding the case.
A former South Dakota state employee accused of stealing nearly two million dollars is officially headed to trial. The case has drawn significant attention due to the large sum involved and the role Carroll held within the state agency.
Attorney General Marty Jackley is commending the House Judiciary Committee for approving two key anti-human trafficking bills. SB-58 focuses on revising provisions related to human trafficking, while SB-59 addresses the delivery and possession of unauthorized articles in state correctional facilities.
Governor Larry Rhoden has assured South Dakotans that his use of state-issued credit cards will not reflect the spending habits of former Governor Kristi Noem. This statement comes in the wake of Noem’s credit card records, which were made public following her resignation to join President Trump’s cabinet. The records revealed over $600,000 in charges for luxury hotels, car rentals, and high-end meals.
A high-speed chase ended in a crash on the night of February 27th, 2025, when a driver, Steven Rath of Mitchell, led authorities on a pursuit after speeding at 115 mph on Highway 37 north of Mitchell. The chase, which started around 10:45 PM, quickly escalated as Rath ignored law enforcement’s attempts to stop him.
If Governor Rhoden approves, local law enforcement will gain stronger tools to combat the growing problem of street racing in South Dakota. The South Dakota House has passed a bill aimed at increasing penalties for street racing, a measure introduced by law enforcement officials in Sioux Falls in response to the rising issue.