FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, August 16, 2018   
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215

PIERRE, S.D.  –   Attorney General Marty Jackley confirms that State Penitentiary inmate Kevin Christopher Tripp, 26, was sentenced for aggravated assault against department of corrections employee and assault by inmate, intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids or human waste.

For the aggravated assault charge, Tripp was sentenced to 30 years with 20 suspended, which will run consecutive to his current sentence. In October 2017, Tripp physically attacked a DSS employee that was working at the penitentiary. Tripp was sentenced to 2 years for the assault by inmate, intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids or human waste, which will run concurrent to his current sentence.

“Tripp’s behavior while incarcerated is a direct indicator that he remains a very dangerous individual,” said Jackley. “I want to thank the prison staff for the difficult work they do and for their assistance during this investigation.”

This case was investigated by Special Security at the State Penitentiary and the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

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