South Dakota

US airman charged with murder of missing South Dakota woman

Published

12 months ago

March 19, 2025

US airman charged with murder of missing South Dakota woman

An active-duty airman has been charged with killing a South Dakota woman who was reported missing in 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Monday.

Quinterius Charles Chappelle, 24, was charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death of Sahela Toka Win Sangrait, 21, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota. Chappelle made his first court appearance on Monday and pleaded not guilty to a federal criminal complaint.

The complaint accused Chappelle of killing Sangrait on the Ellsworth Air Force Base in western South Dakota in August 2024. Authorities said Chappelle was stationed at the Ellsworth base at the time of the incident and arrested on Friday.

It was not immediately clear whether Sangrait and Chappelle knew each other.

Chappelle is currently being held at the Pennington County Jail, according to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Online records show that he was booked into the jail on Friday and no bond has been set.

Chappelle faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund if he is convicted in the case, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Restitution may also be ordered.

“This charge, filed just ten days after the victim’s remains were discovered, reflects the dogged work of federal, state, and local law enforcement professionals who seamlessly collaborated to run down every lead with absolute expediency and care,” U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell said in a statement.

“At this time, our hearts are with the victim’s family and friends, who after many agonizing months of searching for answers, are now grieving the tragic death of their loved one,” Ramsdell added.

Sahela Toka Win Sangrait reported missing in August 2024

Sangrait was a Native American woman from Box Elder, a suburb of Rapid City, South Dakota, according to a missing person poster shared on Facebook. The Ellsworth base is located in the northern area of Box Elder.

Sangrait was reported missing since August 10, 2024, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the missing person poster, she was last known to be staying with a friend in Eagle Butte, about 156 miles northeast of Box Elder.

“She left stating she would be traveling to Box Elder to get some of her things, then planned to travel to California,” the missing person poster states. “It is unknown if she ever made it there and there has been zero contact since.”

A hiker discovered Sangrait’s body on March 4 in an area south of Hill City near the Pennington County and Custer County line, according to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a report of a “badly decomposed body” at around 1 p.m. local time, the sheriff’s office said.

On March 12, the sheriff’s office said the remains were identified as Sangrait and that authorities were investigating the case as a homicide.

The investigation was conducted by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies including the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Missing and murdered indigenous people in the U.S.

There are 59 cases of missing Native Americans in South Dakota, according to the state attorney general’s missing persons database. Of those cases, 36 of the victims are women.

Native Americans are at a “disproportionate risk of experiencing violence, murder, or going missing and make up a significant portion of the missing and murdered cases,” according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A 2023 survey released by the First Nations Development Institute found that the biggest concern on Native Americans’ minds was missing and murdered Indigenous women.

In 2016, the National Crime Information Center said there were more than 5,700 reports of missing Native American women and girls. According to the non-profit Native Hope, only 116 cases had been logged in the U.S. Department of Justice’s missing person database.

A 2018 report from the Urban Indian Health Institute cited that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that murder is the third-leading cause of death among Native American women and that “rates of violence on reservations can be up to ten times higher than the national average.”

“However, no research has been done on rates of such violence among American Indian and Alaska Native women living in urban areas despite the fact that approximately 71% of American Indian and Alaska Natives live in urban areas,” according to the report.

Contributing: Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY

Source link

Click to comment

South Dakota

How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran

Published

10 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran

South Dakota’s Congressional leaders are praising President Donald Trump for his action of joining Israel for a missile-launched attack this weekend in Iran, with the intent to target and dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and demand regime change.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” Trump said Saturday, Feb. 28, calling the strikes, “a massive and ongoing operation.”

Trump has since faced scrutiny for a lack of clarity about the timeline and overall goals of the war, and acting without the direct approval of Congress, which has the power to officially declare war for the U.S. Lawmakers are also in heated debate about whether the Trump’s decision may violate the Constitution, with Democrats calling for a war powers resolution vote to stop the effort, according to multiple military outlets.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was directly targeted, a Middle Eastern official told USA TODAY. Khamenei was killed in the attacks on Feb. 28, according to Israeli sources who told USA TODAY, CNN and Reuters. He was 86 and had led Iran since 1989.

Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes, hitting American and Israeli targets, including a U.S. Naval base in Bahrain. Iran said its enemies would be “decisively defeated.”

At least four Americans and an estimated 200 other individuals have been killed, and an estimated 700 injured as of March 2.

President Trump said he expects more to come.

Here’s what South Dakota Congressional leaders, along with former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who now sits at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security as secretary, have to say about what has been named by the administration as Operation Epic Fury.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune

“For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. servicemembers, citizens in the region, and many of our allies,” said Thune, a Republican, the morning of Feb. 28 in a comment from his office.

“Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats,” Thune said, thanking Secretary Rubio for providing updates on these issues throughout the week.

“I look forward to administration officials briefing all senators about these military operations,” he said. “I commend the bravery of the servicemembers carrying out these operations and pray for the safety of those in harm’s way.”

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds

Rounds, a Republican, said Trump took “the right course of action” when handling the strike.

Rounds later congratulated the United States military and Trump on the death of the Iranian leader, stating the moment “offers a path for a more peaceful Middle East.”

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson

Johnson, a Republican and the lone U.S. representative for South Dakota, stated the Iranian regime “is full of theocratic thugs and is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror.” He said Trump had given multiple opportunities to change direction.

“I’m praying for the safety of America’s servicemembers, and our allies involved in Operation Epic Fury,” Johnson stated on social media.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Noem, who left her governorship after she was appointed secretary at the beginning of Trump’s current term, took to social media as well, stating she was actively monitoring any potential threats against America.

“I am in direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners,” she said.

Source link

South Dakota

SD Lottery Millionaire for Life winning numbers for March 1, 2026

Published

22 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, 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.

Source link

South Dakota

South Dakota High School Students Showcase Culinary Skills – Harrisburg Today

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

South Dakota High School Students Showcase Culinary Skills – Harrisburg Today

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is an annual culinary competition where high school students from across the state showcase their cooking and restaurant management skills. This year, 12 schools will send a total of 60 talented students to Pierre to compete in events like cake decorating, culinary arts, and restaurant management. Winners will receive scholarships and the opportunity to advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland.

Why it matters

The ProStart® program is an important investment in developing South Dakota’s future culinary and hospitality industry leaders. By providing high school students with hands-on experience and the chance to compete at the state and national levels, the program helps cultivate the next generation of skilled chefs, restaurateurs, and food service professionals.

The details

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026 in Pierre. The competition kicks off on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM with a cake decorating contest. The more intense culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will be held on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM. Students will be judged on their technical skills, creativity, and business acumen as they compete for scholarships and a spot at the national competition.

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026.
The cake decorating competition will be held on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM.
The culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will take place on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM.

The players

Nathan Sanderson

Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, which administers the ProStart® program.

Florence

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Harrisburg

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Huron

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Mitchell CTE

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“ProStart® is an excellent way for us to invest in South Dakota’s future industry leaders. Our students are highly skilled and graduate workplace ready.”

— Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association (b1027.com)

What’s next

The winners of the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, where they will represent the state on a national stage.

The takeaway

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is a valuable program that helps cultivate the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals in the state, providing high school students with hands-on experience, scholarships, and the opportunity to showcase their skills at the national level.

Source link