FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Tuesday, March 20, 2018

CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215 

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Brett Joseph Moffenbier, 21, Florence, has pled guilty to charges of elder financial abuse in two counties. 

“The complexity of this multi-agency investigation demonstrates how the Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation Unit continues to work with law enforcement throughout South Dakota to protect our elderly citizens,” said Jackley. 

Codington County

• one count of grand theft, class 3 felony, punishable by up to 15 years in the state penitentiary and/or $30,000 fine (admitted to Part II Information for Habitual Offender exposing him to an elevated sentence)

Brown County

• one count of forgery, class 4 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in the state penitentiary and/or $20,000 fine (admitted to Part II Information for Habitual Offender exposing him to an elevated sentence)

• one count of grand theft, class 3 felony, punishable by up to 15 years in the state penitentiary and/or $30,000 fine (admitted to Part II Information for Habitual Offender exposing him to an elevated sentence)

Moffenbier stole an elderly relative’s checkbook and spent $187,025.84 throughout four different counties in South Dakota. Moffenbier obtained cash, vehicles, and other items with this money. After returning several items, Moffenbier will be responsible for restitution in the amount of $16,435.51.

As part of Moffenbier’s plea agreement, Moffenbier will pay restitution in Minnehaha and Brookings Counties, but no charges will be filed. 

In Codington County, Moffenbier was sentenced to serve 12 years in the South Dakota State penitentiary with 5 years suspended. In Brown County, Moffenbier was sentenced to serve two concurrent 7 year sentences in the South Dakota State penitentiary, both of which were concurrent with the Codington County sentence.

This case was investigated by the Watertown Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Aberdeen Police Department, Groton Police Department, Sioux Falls Police Department, and Brookings Police Department, with assistance from the Codington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation Unit. This case was prosecuted by the Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation Unit within the Attorney General’s Office. 

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