Former Rapid City News Anchor Shad Olson arrested in Ft. Pierre this past Thursday for outstanding warrant

@SoDakCampaigns

This past Thursday, an outstanding warrant was served on former Rapid City News Anchor Shad Olson on charges that he has violated the terms and conditions of his sentence for Domestic Abuse – Simple Assault/attempt to put another in fear of bodily harm; a charge which was reduced from his arrest in January of 2024 for felony assault in conjunction with a domestic abuse matter.

The warrant, originally issued December 23, 2025, was triggered upon the court not believing that the former KOTA anchor had followed the few conditions imposed on Olson, who had received a suspended imposition of sentence. In fact, In the PETITION TO REVOKE SUSPENDED IMPOSITION OF SENTENCE filed by Tanner Jackson, Meade County Deputy State’s Attorney, the document details that Olson, pictured left in his arrest photo, failed to honor a number of the terms of his agreement for suspended imposition of sentence, according to a court document filed on December 19th:

  • (1) Defendant failed to pay court appointed attorney fees, investigator fees, and transcript costs;
  • (2) Defendant failed to complete alcohol evaluation, abide by the recommendations of the evaluation, and provide proof of completion; and
  • (3) Defendant failed to complete anger management and provide proof of completion, in violation of the conditions ordered by the Court.

This action had Olson seeking a new attorney in Aberdeen, who in January had filed several documents including a certificate of completion for an on-line anger management course.

The warrant was served on Olson in Stanley County.

From other documents recently filed in the case, it’s apparent that there has been a lack of communication with the attorney who had filed the documentation claiming Olson was actually complying with the court’s wishes. On February 18th, the day before Olson’s arrest, his attorney withdrew from representing him for reasons as he put it, “the undersigned attorney has since lost contact with the defendant in this case despite numerous attempts to make or maintain contact.”

(Maybe his attorney should have tried to reach Shad on Facebook? He’s been active there.)

There’s no immediate update on whether Olson has obtained representation in his criminal matter.

According to the arrest warrant, he’s due back in court in Meade County on March 24th.

23 thoughts on “Former Rapid City News Anchor Shad Olson arrested in Ft. Pierre this past Thursday for outstanding warrant”

  1. I heard that the warrant was served while he was staying with BranDEI in a hotel… can anyone confirm that?

      1. I was wondering if there was a report myself. Because, I kind of doubt they would just show up and say “surprise – here’s your warrant.” There had to be a reason for the interaction with the po-po.

  3. Why do we get the feeling that unless this guy is incarcerated for a long time there will be a [I’m going to redact this, as it’s past the edge of what I’m comfortable with. – PP]

  5. I don’t recall how revocation of a suspended imposition works in South Dakota. I assume he now faces the potential sentence of whatever the original conviction was? Was he actually convicted of felony assault, or was it reduced as part of a plea deal? If it is a felony assault, my reading of SDCL 22-18-1 says he could face a potential of 15 years in prison.

    1. My apologies, saw it was reduced to a simple assault. Maximum one year in jail. Ignore my question.

      1. But the Judge wouldn’t be free to sentence him outside of the State’s sentencing guidelines, correct? Meaning a class 1 misdemeanor, the max he could face is 1 year incarceration in a local jail?

  7. This is turning into a future high drama reality TV show starring the current D3 team. Let’s retire them all including Mr. “White Boy Summer” in D1 so they can all focus on their new project.

  9. I love how he boasted on Facebook that he spent 20k for Sidney Powell to stay at “his house” and his “private security force protected her” yet he can’t pay simple court costs, and claimed to be indigent in court records.

    1. the guy is a grifter and liar. They roll through SD politics all too often. The last notable grifters were the Bosworth/Haber duo. Although our most recent past Gov seems to be getting good at grifting too with her $70million airplane. Used for deportations of course.

  10. Can someone from outside of the jail bring a meal for Shad so he does not end up turning his nose up to jail food? His past facebook posts proudly show he eats like a King! A local fine dining establishment Lobster or a nice T-Bone steak to go?

    Who has been paying for him to live high off the hog?

  11. Let’s see if BranDEI is excused from the legislature (if they’re in session) on or around March 24

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