Mellete County Jailer Sentenced on Accessory to a Felony Charge

PIERRE, S.D. –  Attorney General Marty Jackley and Mellette County States Attorney Zach Pahlke announce that Kimberly K. Dewes, 47, White River, was sentenced to 12 months, with 6 months suspended, in the Winner Jail on one count of accessory to a felony. Dewes, who was employed as a jailer at the Mellette County jail, allowed a 24/7 Sobriety Program participant to submit a “clean” urine sample instead of urinating into a specimen container provided by the jail. Dewes was terminated from her position as jailer. 

“The entire concept of the 24/7 Sobriety Program relies on the integrity of the participants and the testing facilities and Dewes, with her actions, directly violated the public’s trust in the program,” said Jackley. 

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

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