Current:Home > StocksRape charges filed against multiple teenage South Dakota baseball players -Ascend Wealth Education
Rape charges filed against multiple teenage South Dakota baseball players
View
Date:2025-04-11 23:36:26
Six teenage players on a private South Dakota baseball team have been charged with rape for assaults that allegedly occurred at a tournament, and another three have been charged in juvenile court.
A grand jury indicted six 17-to 19-year-olds from the Mitchell Legion baseball team for second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape, the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Thursday. The felonies are punishable by up to 50 years in prison, a $50,000 fine or both.
Three younger teammates face undisclosed charges in juvenile court.
South Dakota law requires minors ages 16 and older who are charged with such felonies to be tried as adults, although the minors can attempt to have their cases moved to juvenile court, prosecutors said.
The victims were 16 years old, according to the indictments.
The assaults allegedly occurred during a baseball tournament in Rapid City, South Dakota, the first weekend of June, prosecutors said.
Three of the defendants are representing themselves, according to court records. Phone calls to the lawyers of the other three were not immediately returned Friday.
The State’s Attorney’s Office is also considering charges against adults affiliated with the team who knew about the assaults but did not report them.
The American Legion organizes and sponsors youth baseball leagues throughout the nation, including the Mitchell team.
The Legion canceled the team’s season, and “upon legal determination in the courts we will assess the American Legion’s continued affiliation and sponsorship of the Mitchell Baseball Association,” South Dakota Legion Adjutant Chris Van DeList said in an email.
“The allegations are very disturbing,” Van DeList said, “and are not in keeping with the traditions and the core purposes of American Legion Baseball ‘To instill in the nation’s youth a sincere desire to develop within themselves a feeling of citizenship, sportsmanship, loyalty and team spirit.’”
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Ukraine fires 6 deputy defense ministers as heavy fighting continues in the east
- Tampa Bay Rays finalizing new ballpark in St. Petersburg as part of a larger urban project
- Giant pandas in zoos suffer from jet lag, impacting sexual behavior, diets, study shows
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Attorneys for man charged with killing 2 teenage Indiana girls argue they died in ritual sacrifice
- Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend files 53-page brief in effort to revive public lawsuit
- Patrick Mahomes lands record payout from Chiefs in reworked contract, per reports
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Man gets 20 years in prison for killing retired St. Louis police officer during carjacking attempt
Ranking
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Americans freed from Iran arrive home, tearfully embrace their loved ones and declare: ‘Freedom!’
- Why the Full House Cast Is in Disbelief Over Ashley Olsen Having a Baby
- Blinken meets Chinese VP as US-China contacts increase ahead of possible summit
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Prince William sees oyster reef restoration project on NYC visit for environmental summit
- Here are the movies we can't wait to watch this fall
- Hurricane Nigel gains strength over the Atlantic Ocean
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
What is 'modern monogamy'? Why it's a fit for some couples.
Human rights in Russia have ‘significantly’ worsened since Ukraine war began, UN-backed expert says
Researchers unearth buried secrets of Spanish warship that sank in 1810, killing hundreds
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
Oprah chooses Wellness: A novel by Nathan Hill as new book club pick
Budda Baker will miss at least four games as Cardinals place star safety on injured reserve
Mama bear, cub raid Krispy Kreme delivery van in Alaska, scarf dozens of doughnuts