Rapid City Journal, S.D.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Eleven state prison inmates have been indicted on an array of felony charges stemming from the March 27 and 28 “disturbances” at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.
A Minnehaha County grand jury indicted the inmates Tuesday afternoon on charges including aggravated assault, simple assault, damage to prison property and starting fires within the prison.
“The Attorney General’s Office takes this matter seriously with 11 inmates being charged with 18 felonies,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “This matter resulted in injuries to two correctional officers and significant damage to prison property.”
Joshua David Vortherms, 45, was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault against a Department of Corrections employee and two counts of simple assault against a Department of Corrections employee.
Lee David Bernard, 32; Taylor Dallas Cook, 22; Markos James Fernandez, 19; John Wesley Lovejoy, 25; Connor David Shockey, 20; and Michael Chaske White, 50, were all charged with one count of intentional damage to property.
James Ewing, 41; Curtis Carpenter, 39; Michael P. Hewitt, 35; and Mahlon Kirkie, 22, were all charged with one count of reckless burning and one count of burning within a structure where a person is lawfully confined.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem responded to Tuesday’s announcement, praising the DCI and AG’s office for their investigation.
“The safety and security of our corrections officers depends on holding those responsible for the violence accountable for their actions,” Noem said. " The Department of Corrections has been and will continue to be fully cooperative with all aspects of this investigation and prosecution as these charges move forward.”
All of the inmates will now have initial court appearances.
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