Inmate Sentenced for Aggravated Assault 

(Pierre) – James B. Chadwell, a South Dakota Penitentiary inmate, was sentenced on Tuesday by Judge William H. Srstka, Jr. Chadwell had been charged with aggravated assault after attacking a guard at the penitentiary in March 2002. He was later tried and convicted in a trial to the court. Chadwell received a sentence of 10 years with 5 years suspended as a result of the conviction. He will begin serving this sentence after he completes a previous sentence. Prior to this event, Chadwell was serving time in the penitentiary for an aggravated assault conviction out of Pennington County that occurred in 2000. 

Aggravated assault is a class 3 felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years and/or a $15,000 fine. 

Chadwell’s prosecution was handled by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office. 

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