Convicted cat killer faces new accusations
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A Sioux Falls man, on probation for killing cats in Brookings, is back behind bars. This time he's accused of killing kittens in Sioux Falls.
We first told you about Cory D. Martinson in 2023, when he was arrested and accused of strangling three cats in Brookings County.
Looking back 55 years to Sioux Falls' first Earth Day
He pleaded guilty in February of 2024 and received a suspended sentence, meaning he didn't have to go to prison as long as he stayed out of trouble.
Five months later, in July of 2024, an affidavit says Martinson violated probation by taking care of a cat and five or six kittens for homeless woman in Sioux Falls.
… when she contacted Martinson to pick up her adult cat and kittens Martinson stated that the mother cat had ate her kittens and that the mother cat then went missing.'
Affidavit
On July 12th, 2024 the court document says he contacted the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society and said, his cats were in dire need of medical attention.
'In the shelter's notes it states that Martinson was very angry throughout the entire conversation and that he was yelling, swearing and talking fast.'
Affidavit
When he was later asked what happened to the cats, Martinson admitted killing four of kittens. The court document says the mother cat and the surviving kitten had such serious injuries that Sioux Falls Animal Control said they had to be put down.
On Wednesday, a Brookings County Judge revoked Martinson's suspended sentence. On Thursday, he was transferred to prison. That's where he will wait until his next hearing at the Minnehaha County Courthouse.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
ICE, rape, measles, and scattered storms
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Let's get a check on the latest in news and weather with KELOLAND On The Go. ICE agents took the 25-year-old man into custody in the courthouse lobby. The man was not a criminal defendant, but rather someone subpoenaed by the defense in a case. State's attorney: 'ICE agents acted reasonably' Authorities have arrested a Brookings man who's accused of raping a middle school student. 21-year-old Brookings man arrested for rape of minor The South Dakota Department of Health has confirmed its second case of measles in the state. South Dakota confirms 2nd case of measles in 2025 Fewer crashes are being reported at two interchanges in South Dakota. Fewer crashes at SD diverging diamond interchanges Aside from an isolated shower in southeast KELOLAND early this morning, we have dry skies and temperatures in the 50s. Scattered storms late today A South Dakota swimmer is training to compete in the Paralympic games in Los Angeles in 20-28. Alex Post: Aspiring, inspirational swimmer For the latest in news and weather, use the KELOLAND News app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Inside KELOLAND: Task force members highlight $600 million prison cap
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — After meeting for more than eight hours in Pierre this past week, members of South Dakota's Project Prison Reset task force have narrowed the focus of where a new men's prison should be built and how big it should be. Huron company added to prison discussion On Tuesday, task force members unanimously supported building a facility, or multiple, at existing Department of Corrections spots or at proposed sites in the Worthing or Mitchell areas. The state has previously spent more than $50 million in land purchase and design costs for a new men's prison in rural Lincoln County at a site that has now been officially rejected by the task force. The goal is to build new prison facilities to house 1,500 to 1,700 inmates with a maximum cost of $600 million. JE Dunn Construction has been tasked with bringing proposals in front of the task force at its July meeting. On this week's Inside KELOLAND, Republican Sen. Chris Karr and Democratic Sen. Jamie Smith shared what they took away from the task force's latest decisions. Karr said state lawmakers have challenged contractors and the state engineer to provide options that meet the 1,500 beds and no more than $600 million price tag. 'I look forward to hearing back at our next meeting about what they come up for us for options,' Karr said. Karr said the previous price tag for a men's prison in Lincoln County at the cost of $825 million was too high to get the necessary two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate to be approved. 'We need to do something,' Karr said, who added the Department of Corrections' design choices of a campus style prison that is built to last 100 years dicated some of the higher costs. Smith said the longer the state continues to delay taking action, the more expensive future prison needs will become. 'If we only spend the $600 million, we've got to make sure that this is the right thing to build,' Smith said. 'If we build under way too much, we're going to be having this conversation right away again.' Smith said he believes the Department of Corrections needs more space and staff to help incorporate more rehabilitation, treatment options and vocation with inmates. 'Then it's the re-entry too,' Smith said. 'We need to get all those put together to be able to help people be successful in the future.' Karr said in 2024, 63% of the men released from a state prison served less than one year. Karr said DOC is having more success with rehabilitation in Springfield and not Sioux Falls because of a lack of space. 'We're too overcrowded in Sioux Falls,' Karr said. Smith said lawmakers should consider what policies and investments the state could make to keep people out of prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Rapid City man gets 25-years for dealing meth
RAPID CITY, SD (KELO) — A federal judge on Friday sentenced a Rapid City man, tied to a Mexican drug cartel, to 25-years in prison. 38-year-old Guillermo Calderon pleaded guilty in March to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Prosecutors say Calderon was the leader of the conspiracy that trafficked significant amounts of methamphetamine to Rapid City and Pine Ridge from Mexican cartel operatives. Authorities in Iowa arrested Calderon in January 2024, while he was allegedly driving 20-pounds of meth into South Dakota. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
