South Dakota
Former South Dakota state employee pleads not guilty to 50 child pornography charges
A former South Dakota state employee is scheduled to have a jury trial after he was charged with dozens of alleged child pornography crimes.
Mohammad Ghosheh, 25, of Brookings pleaded not guilty April 28 to 50 counts of possession of child pornography during an arraignment hearing in Brookings County Circuit Court, according to a release from the South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley. Ghosheh also entered a not guilty plea on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, court records show.
Ghosheh worked as an economic assistance benefits specialist for the state Department of Social Services. He no longer works for the agency, according to Open SD.
Possession of child pornography is a class 4 felony and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison for first offenses. Ghosheh faces a minimum of one year in prison on each count, according to the April 28 press release.
Ghosheh was initially charged with 11 counts of possession of child pornography, according to a March 26 press release, but Jackley in the initial statement stated “further charges may be filed.”
Ghosheh was arrested March 25. He was later released on a $10,000 cash bond.
A jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 13.
DCI investigated Ghosheh following cyber tip tied to missing North Carolina teen
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving a missing 15-year-old girl, according to the initial press release.
The cyber tip identified Ghosheh as someone who had allegedly been chatting to a girl from North Carolina, according to the complaint. In their conversations, Ghosheh allegedly mentioned flying to North Carolina to see the girl days before her disappearance if he “liked what he saw,” according to the complaint.
The complaint then alleges he asked the girl for nude images of herself. The girl was later found in North Carolina with a different man.
According to previous Argus Leader reporting, police found what is referred to in the criminal complaint as a “sex kidnapping kit” during a search warrant on Ghosheh’s car. Items allegedly in the kit included “kids movies, adult sex games, alcohol, THC products, sex toys, binding material, a blow-up mattress and bedding.”
Similar items were found in Ghosheh’s residence, according to the complaint.
“The charges reflect the seriousness of having a 15-year-old victim involved in this case,” Jackley said in the Monday evening press release.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 15, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 15 drawing
25-55-57-60-62, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 15 drawing
01-15-18-30-46, Star Ball: 02, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 15 drawing
12-14-20-54-58, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The first mosquito pool of the year carrying West Nile virus has been confirmed in Brown County, the South Dakota Department of Health reported Monday.
The department urged residents to take steps to protect themselves and their families from the virus, which can cause fever, headaches, rash, swollen lymph nodes and achy muscles and joints, and in worst cases, death.
WESTERN S.D. AND NORTHEASTERN WYO. — There’s a slight chill in the air this morning as temperatures currently in the 30s and 40s. Higher elevations in the Black Hills and Bighorns may even be seeing some upper 20s.
“Cooler” air remains today with highs reaching the low to mid-70s for most… However, 60s are possible in higher elevations, while southwestern South Dakota will likely see upper 70s to low 80s.
While winds are light and variable this morning, northerly flow persists as we head into mid-morning. Northwesterly winds today should be sustained around 15-25 mph, gusting up to 40 mph at times.
Due to relative humidity values between 10% and 25% in southern portions of the region, a Red Flag Warning will be in effect from noon today through this evening. This warning includes portions of Weston, Custer, Fall River, Oglala Lakota, Pennington, Jackson, and Bennett counties.
Elevated to critical fire concerns remain throughout the week, although we may see occasionally some pop-up showers to the north, most of the region is expected to remain dry.
Please be careful with fire and/or anything that could create sparks. While we have received beneficial moisture over the last couple of weeks (which I think we’re all grateful for), drought conditions continue for the region. This means vegetation is still dry and struggling to soak up that moisture, so please check local burn bans and stay vigilant.
As stated above, we could see a few quick, pop-up rain showers in northern areas this week, but luckily, we aren’t expecting any severe weather.
Tonight’s lows should be milder, likely in the 40s and 50s. Breezy conditions briefly slow down this evening before increasing again tomorrow, especially in northeastern Wyoming, where west-northwest winds are expected to reach 10-20 mph, with 30 mph gusts likely. Highs will warm up into the low-to-mid 80s tomorrow, with some 70s in the higher elevations.
We’ll continue to see average mid-June temperatures in the 70s and 80s this week. Wednesday looks particularly windy, with northwest gusts potentially reaching 50-55 mph. I would not be surprised if another Red Flag Warning or Wind Advisory is issued by then.
Expect more sunshine to round out the week on Thursday and Friday, with the likelihood of showers and non-severe storms increasing for this Father’s Day weekend.
As a dedicated meteorologist, Sam is committed to delivering accurate and timely weather information to the community. In the future, she hopes to inspire younger generations to develop a love for STEM, just as she did.
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