PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Benjamin Thomas, 35, Centerville, was sentenced in First Circuit Court to the following:

• third degree rape- 25 years with 10 suspended in the state penitentiary

• aggravated incest- 15 years with 5 suspended in the state penitentiary, to run consecutive

• sexual contact with a child under sixteen- 15 years with 5 suspended in the state penitentiary, to run concurrent

• sexual exploitation of a minor- 2 years in the state penitentiary, to run concurrent  

   

  “This conviction and sentence involve very serious offenses against a child. Child sexual abuse cases, by their very nature, present challenges for prosecutors and investigators and they should be commended for their important and tireless work,” said Jackley.

   

  The convictions stem from incidents that occurred at Thomas’ place of residence on November 2, 2012.

   

  This case was investigated by the Turner County Sheriff’s Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Turner County States Attorney and the Attorney General’s Office. 

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