Latest news with #SouthDakotaDivisionofCriminalInvestigation
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor, attorney general visit the border and seek a bigger immigration enforcement role
A section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall near El Paso, Texas, on June 6, 2024. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom) South Dakota's governor and attorney general separately visited the U.S.-Mexico border this week and announced efforts to involve the state in federal immigration enforcement. During a news conference Wednesday with a coalition of Republican attorneys general in Arizona, Attorney General Marty Jackley said he has authorized the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, which he oversees, to pursue a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The federal agency is within the Department of Homeland Security led by former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. The agreement would allow state agents, after receiving federal training, to 'identify, process, and detain individuals for immigration violations they encounter during their regular law enforcement activities,' the Attorney General's Office wrote in a press release. 'I applaud and encourage the Trump administration to continue its efforts to close this border and to enforce our immigration laws across the United States,' Jackley said. Meanwhile, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden was in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Tuesday visiting South Dakota National Guard soldiers from the 109th Engineer Battalion. They're on a yearlong federal deployment as part of 'Operation International Drug Trafficking.' Their duties include supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Following his visit, Rhoden announced Wednesday that he sent a letter of intent to Noem requesting a 287(g) agreement for the South Dakota Highway Patrol, which is part of the Department of Public Safety in Rhoden's executive branch. Rhoden's letter specifies that he is requesting a task force model agreement, which would allow trained officers to enforce immigration laws during their regular patrols or investigations. The Obama administration discontinued the model in 2012 due to concerns over potential civil rights abuses arising from local and state law enforcement officers stopping people on the street and inquiring about their immigration status. The Trump administration revived the task force model this year. American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota spokeswoman Jana Farley said in a statement that 287(g) agreements have led to racial profiling, civil rights abuses and diverted resources from state and local law enforcement. 'Most of us can agree that the federal government needs to do much better on immigration policy and identify real solutions that are orderly, humane and fair,' she said. 'Instead of imposing the federal government's wishes upon every community in South Dakota, we encourage local control and support the right of local law enforcement to put the needs of their communities first by declining to participate in unnecessary, voluntary immigration enforcement.' Taneeza Islam, CEO of South Dakota Voices for Peace, which advocates for immigrants, said the state's pursuit of 287(g) agreements puts 'politics over the best interests of South Dakota.' She predicted negative consequences. 'Victims of crimes will be scared to call law enforcement in fear of deportation. Labor and sex trafficking will increase as the perpetrators will leverage ICE working with law enforcement over their victims,' she said. Rhoden, who is serving the remainder of Noem's term after she resigned to serve in the Trump Cabinet, and Jackley, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018, are both frequently mentioned as potential candidates for governor next year. Both are Republicans. The announcements from both state leaders come amid an increase in immigration enforcement actions within South Dakota. Earlier this month, federal agents arrested eight immigrants in Madison for allegedly using fraudulent documents to gain employment. As of last week, more than two dozen people were being held in South Dakota jails for immigration matters. Two local South Dakota jurisdictions have already signed 287(g) agreements. Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead and Hughes County Sheriff Patrick Callahan both signed on earlier this spring. The counties are participating in the warrant service officer program. It allows local jail staff to serve ICE-issued immigration warrants on inmates already in custody for other criminal charges, negating the need for ICE officers to serve those warrants themselves. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Jackley says 4/1 deadly force justified as photos released
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation says law enforcement justifiably used deadly force in two shootings with the same suspect on April 1. 25-year-old Samir Albaidhani faces a litany of charges, including six counts of first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. He is in custody at the Minnehaha County Jail, and photos released Friday by South Dakota's Division of Criminal Investigation offer the public glimpses into tense situations involving Albaidhani. Influenza, Whooping Cough seeing decline in SD 'The information that law enforcement had received was that he was likely using methamphetamine, had a firearm in his waistband and that he had made comments that he wasn't going back to jail alive,' South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said Friday. Investigators say officers with the Sioux Falls Police Department on April 1 successfully found Albaidhani, a parole absconder, who was also wanted on different outstanding warrants. Per a DCI summary of what took place, two officers used their car to box in the stolen car Albaidhani was driving, and a chase ensued. Albaidhani allegedly fired two shots at the officers, striking one of them; one photo released Friday shows the suspect turning his torso and stretching out his right arm. The DCI report says the Sioux Falls Police officer who was hit returned fire toward Albaidhani, with the other officer also opening fire. 'My findings and the DCI findings are both of those officers were justified in firing their duty weapons,' Jackley said. 'They had had use of force used against them. One of the officers was shot in his left arm, and they had every right to return fire at that point and acted appropriately.' Investigators say Albaidhani headed south soon after the exchange of gunfire in Sioux Falls. 'Law enforcement further learned and identified Albaidhani and that stolen vehicle driving south on I-29,' Jackley said. 'A pursuit entailed, traveling at speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Eventually, it reached a point where his vehicle went off the road right at Exit 42 in Union County.' Per a DCI summary of the events in Union County, Albaidhani opened fire toward South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers as well as officers with the Beresford Police Department. One trooper fired at Albaidhani, and another trooper hit the suspect with a Highway Patrol car. Another exchange of gunfire ensued at the Beresford-area location as well. Pictures released Friday clearly show Albaidhani with a gun in his hand. 'The second finding that I make as attorney general with the investigative report by the DCI that we will make public is that the trooper that used his vehicle for impact was justified in those actions,' Jackley said. 'It was appropriate police tactics. It was done appropriately. The second trooper that fired his weapon after having being fired at and having witnessed three more shots being fired at his fellow officers was justified in taking those actions, of firing his duty weapon.' For Jackley, the events of April 1 highlight what officers face. 'Law enforcement's here to serve our communities,' Jackley said. 'They do it well, but when doing so it's a dangerous job, and on this incident several officers put their life in danger.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida ex-deputy declared eligible in South Dakota
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — A former deputy from Florida, who was immediately fired after punching a handcuffed inmate several times, will be allowed to seek certification in South Dakota as a law enforcement officer. A Florida jury found Kevin Fanti not-guilty of using excessive force in the 2019 incident at the Broward County jail. However, in 2023, his Florida certification was revoked. Since then, Fanti has been working for private security. He recently applied for certification in South Dakota. Demolition of Hills, MN school uncovers century-old surprise On Tuesday, the South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission listened to evidence, spent 30 minutes discussing the matter in executive session, and ultimately declared Fanti eligible to be a law enforcement officer here. The panel's decision was split. Lincoln County State's Attorney Thomas Wollmann and South Dakota Attorney General voted no. The commission, which was meeting in Deadwood, had viewed part of a jailhouse video that showed Fanti punching the inmate twice in the head and then punching the inmate two more times on the ground. The commission also heard a review from special investigating agent Guy DiBenedetto. Fanti, who represented himself, told the commission that he was in fear of being choked by the inmate, whose hands were cuffed in front of him. 'I'm much more mature now,' said Fanti, who vowed that he wouldn't do it again. Panel denies law officer eligibility for prospect Mark Vargo, who serves as the commission's attorney, asked Fanti what he would do differently. Fanti said he would back up and let the jail staff take care of the inmate. Fanti told the commission that he arrived in the United States at age 21 from Brazil, taught himself English, and in 2018 went to the law enforcement academy in Florida. He became a patrol deputy. He said no other complaints have been filed against him. Dan Satterlee, director of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, serves as the commission's chair. Satterlee asked Fanti why he approached the inmate with a document. 'I didn't want him to come towards us again,' Fanti said. 'I just decided to pick it up and give it back to him, so he didn't have to come towards us.' Fanti added that he has reflected a lot about what happened. 'There's not a single day that passes that this doesn't come to mind,' Fanti said. At Fanti's request, the commission watched the remainder of the video showing what happened prior to Fanti striking the inmate. Commission attorney Vargo in closing said that Fanti 'physically initiated contact' and the inmate reacted to Fanti's action. 'The marshals stepped in and told Mister Fanti to get back,' Vargo said. Fanti responded, 'I can't change what happened in the past. I can change what will happen in the future.' He added, 'This means a lot to me, to be a law enforcement officer again. I can make a difference in the world.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fight at maximum security unit precedes tour by state's prison work group
The sign for the Jameson Prison Annex in Sioux Falls, pictured on April 1, 2025. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) SIOUX FALLS — The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into a fight at the maximum security wing of the state prison in Sioux Falls that broke out less than 48 hours before a planned tour of the building by a 22-member prison work group. It's unclear how many people were involved, how long the fighting took place before being brought under control, or how badly anyone was hurt. Staff 'contained' the fight, and no one's life is in danger as a result of their injuries, the Department of Corrections said. 'That incident is under investigation. DCI has been notified of the fight,' spokesman Michael Winder wrote in an email to South Dakota Searchlight. Work group aims to ditch baggage, find solutions in prison talks The Project Prison Reset work group is set to convene at 8 a.m. Wednesday for tours of the South Dakota State Penitentiary and Jameson Annex. It's the first portion of a two-day meeting that also includes public presentations and public comments on Thursday at the Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls. The group's mission is to find consensus on whether the state needs new prison facilities. Gov. Larry Rhoden appointed lawmakers, law enforcement representatives, a judge and other stakeholders to the group in late February, after the Legislature shot down an attempt to finalize funding for a proposed 1,500-bed men's prison in Lincoln County. Had it been approved, the $825 million prison campus would have been the most expensive taxpayer-funded building project in state history. It was meant to largely replace the penitentiary, a pre-statehood complex built in 1881. The work group will tour the Lincoln County site, located 14 miles south of Sioux Falls, at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Monday fighting broke out in the Jameson Annex, a building erected in 1993 that was home to 473 inmates as of Feb. 28. In addition to housing the state's highest-security inmates, Jameson has the Sioux Falls prison complex's administrative segregation and mental health units and intake unit. All men admitted to the DOC for any level of crime spend time in the intake 'fish tank' to be assessed before being assigned a cell in one of the state's various housing facilities. Wealth of controversies, outbreaks of violence spark questions on prison oversight The Jameson Annex remains on lockdown status after the fight, Winder said Tuesday. He did not say if any correctional officers were among the injured, if any of the injured were transported to the hospital for care, or note which area or areas of the facility where the fight occurred. Winder did not say if the ongoing investigation would keep members of the prison task force out of the building, and did not immediately respond to follow-up questions on the matter. Tony Mangan, spokesman for the Division of Criminal Investigation, said the agency will work to determine the number of people involved and how the incident began. 'The investigation is ongoing,' Mangan said. Attorney General Marty Jackley, who oversees the DCI, is a member of the prison work group, but he won't be on hand for its first meeting. He's in Pierre this week for the trial of Lonna Carroll, a former Department of Social Services employee accused of embezzling from the state. The state's prison system has struggled with a host of security incidents since March of 2024. Two days of unrest broke out at the penitentiary following the temporary shutdown of tablet-based inmate communications with family members that month. One correctional officer was injured in the first of those incidents. A few months later, fighting broke out at Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield, which required outside medical care for some inmate victims. Prisoners called out to reporters the following day to express their worries of further violence. Near the end of the summer, the DOC announced an indefinite lockdown at the penitentiary for what turned out to be a weekslong lockdown in search of contraband. Officers dismantled the campus sweat lodges during the search. After the lockdown ended, Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko showed lawmakers images of knives fashioned from nail files and Plexiglas, a tattoo gun, mobile Wi-Fi hotspots and bags of homemade alcohol. During debate on the Lincoln County prison proposal, last year and this year, Wasko argued that the penitentiary is unsafe and unsuited for continued use as offender housing. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
Officials release name of man found dead in southeast South Dakota
PIERRE, S.D. (KCAU) — Officials have revealed the name of the person who was found dead in Scotland, South Dakota on Tuesday. According to South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, George Verzani, 85, of Scotland, was found Tuesday afternoon. An autopsy showed that the cause of death may have been exposure to sub-freezing temperatures, officials say. Officials investigating deaths of two northwest Iowans 'The preliminary investigation shows no signs of foul play, and the public is not in danger,' Jackley said in a statement in part. Videos from downtown Scotland reportedly show Verzani walking through the area early Tuesday morning. He was last seen on video in the Main Street area at 3:30 a.m. Temperatures at the time were between 25 and 30 degrees. The body was found at around 1:30 p.m. later that day in an empty lot downtown. The South Dakota Highway Patrol, the Scotland Police Department, and the Bon Homme County Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation. Officials say a final autopsy report will be released in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
