FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced that 11 state prison inmates have all pleaded not guilty to a combined 18 felony charges stemming from the March 27-28 disturbances at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.

The inmates entered their not guilty pleas during an arraignment Wednesday in Minnehaha Circuit Court.

Inmates face charges including aggravated assault, simple assault, damage to prison property, and starting fires within the prison. All inmates also face habitual offender charges that, if they are found guilty, could mean an increase in their current prison sentences.

The 11 inmates and their charges are:

*** Joshua D. Vortherms, 45, two counts of Aggravated Assault Against a Department of Corrections employee; and two counts of Simple Assault Against a Department of Corrections employee.

*** Lee D. Bernard, 32, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.

*** Taylor D. Cook, 22, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.

*** Markos J. Fernandez, 19, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.

*** John W. Lovejoy, 25, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.

*** Connor D. Shockey, 20, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.

*** Chaske M. White, 50, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.

*** James Ewing, 41, one count of Reckless Burning, and one count of Burning Within a Structure Where a Person is Lawfully Confined.

*** Curtis Carpenter, 39, one count of Reckless Burning, and one count of Burning Within a Structure Where a Person is Lawfully Confined.

*** Michael P. Hewitt, 35, one count of Reckless Burning, and one count of Burning Within a Structure Where a Person is Lawfully Confined.

*** Mahlon Kirkie, 22, one count of Reckless Burning, and one count of Burning Within a Structure Where a Person is Lawfully Confined.

All inmates are tentatively scheduled for jury trial the week of August 12. They are presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

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