FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :  Thursday, November 01, 2012
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605)773-3215

Lake Andes Man Guilty of Abusing Disabled Adult

 
PIERRE, S.D.- Attorney General Marty Jackley and Charles Mix County States Attorney Pam Hein announced today that a Charles Mix County jury returned a verdict yesterday finding Kelly Joe Wells, 28, Lake Andes, guilty of  abuse of a disabled adult, class 6 felony, maximum penalty of 2 years and/or $4,000 fine.

Charges stemmed from an incident at a nursing home in Charles Mix County, in which Wells allegedly abused an elderly resident. Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2012.

This case was investigated by the Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office, the Division of Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Charles Mix County States Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Department of Health. The jury found Wells not guilty of sexual contact with a person incapable of consenting.
 

 
-30-