FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :     Thursday, August 27, 2015
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605)773-3215   

 
South Dakota Supreme Court Uphold First Degree Rape Conviction

 
PIERRE, S.D –   Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today the South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld the first degree rape conviction in Terry Lee Oleson v. State of South Dakota.
“This decision assures that a registered sex offender, who in 2008, admitted to raping a child will remain behind bars. The victim of this violent crime will not be subjected to revictimization in a case where the defendant knowingly and voluntarily pled to the crime,” said Jackley. 
Oleson pled guilty to first degree rape and was sentenced to 70 years in the State Penitentiary. Oleson did not file a direct appeal, but later petitioned for habeas relief. Oleson argued that his plea was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court rejected Oleson’s claim finding that he knowingly understood his guilty plea.

-30-