Changes Desperately Needed at the South Dakota Department of Corrections
By State Representative Tim Reisch

It’s been just over three years since Kellie Wasko took over as Secretary of the SD Department of Corrections after working in the Colorado prison system.   Since her arrival, policy and operational changes have resulted in a degradation of staff and inmate safety systemwide. Recently she named a county jail administrator from a small county in New Mexico as the new warden of the state penitentiary. Joseph Roemmich is the fourth person in as many years to occupy the position that has seemingly become a revolving door since Wasko’s arrival.

Less than two years following her appointment by then-Governor Kristi Noem, penitentiary employees penned a letter to the governor asking for Wasko’s removal citing changes she made to the disciplinary process that threatened staff safety and that her introduction of “out of cell time” led to an increase in the presence of contraband among inmates. Although Noem elected to stick with Wasko, the complaints voiced in the letter have proven to be accurate based on events that have occurred over the past several months, including:

• February 4, 2025:  Jameson Prison Annex on lock-down.  Over the previous couple weeks, a prison staff member was assaulted while inmates were in line picking up their meds, and a 22-year-old inmate committed suicide.
• February 25, 2025:  I met with Governor Rhoden, Lieutenant Governor Venhuizen and staff and shared my concerns that the policy changes instituted by Wasko have made it dangerous for staff to maintain order. Inconsistent and reduced disciplinary sanctions for inmate misbehavior have emboldened some, threatening staff safety.
• March 31, 2025:  A female correctional officer was assaulted the previous weekend on the hill. She got a broken nose and had to get stiches in her face.  There was also an inmate fight involving about 30 inmates in the D pod at Jameson.  Multiple inmates were shanked.
• May 7, 2025:  A senior correctional employee was punched in the face several times at Mike Durfee State Prison.  Both East Hall (on the hill) and Jameson in Sioux Falls were locked down.
• May 15, 2025:  An inmate found dead in his cell at the old penitentiary (possibly drug related).
• May 18, 2025: Another inmate was found dead in his cell at Jameson (possibly drug related).
• May 27, 2025:  A major gang fight occurred at Jameson with weapons.  Five inmates received stab wounds, three of which were hospitalized. The Attorney General suspects it was gang related.
• June 11, 2025:  Another inmate death at the old penitentiary (assumed to be drug overdose).
• June 20, 2025:  Inmate found dead at Jameson of an apparent suicide.

In addition to the policy changes cited above, Secretary Wasco made another significant shift in prison philosophy involving minimum-custody inmates working in the community.  The community service program was initiated by Governor Bill Janklow in the 1990s.  Inmate crews supervised by journeyman electricians wired the state’s 176 school districts to provide internet access for pennies on the dollar.  After that task was complete, inmate crews were trained to install new rubber membrane roofs on public buildings while other crews ground the old mortar joints out of, and re-tuckpointed brick-faced buildings all across the state.  Simultaneously, scores of other inmates were assigned to work for state agencies, cities, counties and nonprofit organizations.  For many years, an inmate crew was assigned to the South Dakota State Fair doing all sorts of tasks in preparation for the fair as well as removing the tons of trash that accumulated during fair week.

With one stroke of the pen, Secretary Wasko killed the program by raising what the DOC charged the organizations that employed the inmates over $10 an hour instead of the 25 cents an hour that had been the standard for decades.  That decision made the employment of hundreds of inmates who performed so many meaningful jobs across the state unaffordable for the nonprofit organizations and local governments that had previously benefitted from the program.  On a typical day during the program’s existence, maybe a dozen inmates out of the 200+ inmates at the Sioux Falls minimum custody unit would be lying on their beds throughout the day. Several weeks ago, when I toured the penitentiary complex, only 9 inmates out of the 230 assigned there that day had jobs in the community.  The rest of them were sitting around watching TV, playing video games or sleeping.  What a terrible way to prepare offenders for their release back into society.  Governor Janklow used to say that when inmates are required to get up and work every day like the rest of society, they become accustomed to that routine for when they get released.  But if they’re allowed to lay around idle all day while in prison, that will be their expectation when they’re released as well.

The rate at which inmates released from South Dakota prisons are having their parole revoked is alarming.  One reason is that they’re simply unprepared to rejoin society.  They’ve been allowed to sit around all day and wait for their next meal to be served.

Before the taxpayers of South Dakota are asked to pay a billion dollars to modernize our prison system we need to make changes to its current mismanagement.

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Tim Reisch served as Secretary of Corrections longer than anyone in the history of the SD Department of Corrections.  He was appointed Deputy Secretary of Corrections by Governor Bill Janklow, and served as the Cabinet Secretary in the Rounds, Daugaard and Noem administrations.  He is a member of the SD House of Representatives serving District 8.  He serves on Governor Rhoden’s Prison Reset Task Force as well as the Legislative Summer Study on Incarceration and Reentry.

President Trump Announces Appointments to the Homeland Security Advisory Council

President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Noem appointed new members to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) and announced the date of the council’s first meeting.

Formed on March 19, 2002, the HSAC leverages the experience, expertise, and national and global connections of its membership to provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with real-time, real-world and independent advice on homeland security operations.

This new-look, America First HSAC will draw upon a deep well of public and private sector experience from homeland security experts committed to fulfilling President Trump’s agenda.

The Homeland Security Advisory Council will hold its first meeting at DHS headquarters in Washington, D.C. on July 2nd, 2025.

Appointed Members:

• • Henry McMaster, Governor, South Carolina, Chair
  • Joseph Gruters, State Senator, Florida, Vice Chair
  • Marc Andreessen, Co-Founder and General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
  • David Chesnoff, Attorney, Chesnoff and Schonfeld.
  • Christopher “Chris” Cox, Founder, Bikers for Trump
  • Mark Dannels, Cochise County Sheriff, Arizona
  • Richard “Bo” Dietl, CEO and Founder, Beau Dietl & Associates
  • Matthew Flynn, Attorney, Steptoe. Former Deputy Assistant to the President. Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.
  • Rudolph W. Giuliani, Former Mayor, New York City
  • Harvey C. Jewett IV, Retired President of Super 8 Motels Inc., Retired President and Chief Operating Officer, Rivett Group LLC., President Great Plains Education Foundation, Inc.
  • Steve Kirby, Founding Partner, Bluestem Capital Company
  • Mark Levin, Broadcast News Analyst, The Mark Levin Show
  • Corey Lewandowski, Chief Advisor to the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
  • Nicholas Luna, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Implementation, The White House
  • George Lund, CEO and Chairman, Torch Hill Investment Partners
  • Edward McMullen Jr, Senior Policy Advisor, Adams and Reese LLP. Former Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein,
  • Georgette Mosbacher, Co-Chair, Three Seas Programming, Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, Former Ambassador to Poland
  • James “Jim” Pallotta, Managing Partner and Founder, The Raptor Group.
  • Omar Qudrat, CEO, Maden, Founder, Muslim Coalition for America, Major, U.S. Army Reserve
  • Stephen Sloan, Global Head of Private Market Secondaries, Portfolio Advisors and Co-Founder, Cogent Partners
  • Robert “Bob” Smith, Former U.S. Senator, New Hampshire
  • Alexei Woltornist, Co-Founder and President, ATHOS. Former Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Homeland Security

To learn more about the Homeland Security Advisory Council, including its previous taskings, reports, and recommendations, visit DHS.gov/Homeland-Security-Advisory-Council.

Senator Casey Crabtree: No Sanctuary in South Dakota

MADISON–Growing up in Arlington, South Dakota, we kept our keys in our pickups and the doors to our house were always open. Parents let their kids ride their bikes around town until the 6 o’clock whistle told us it was time to come home. We felt safe and secure.  We trusted that everyone in our community looked out for one another and they had your back if tough times arrived. The same can’t be said today throughout the United States. Folks deserve to feel safe and secure, but that is hard to do after millions of criminals entered the United States illegally under the Biden Administration.

The recent chaos in the streets of Los Angeles and their liberal leaders, particularly Gavin Newsom and LA’s Mayor, doubling-down on protecting violent criminals once again highlighted the stark differences between California and South Dakota–criminals over citizens, chaos over order, and political theater over meaningful discussions. I’m grateful to call South Dakota home because we value law enforcement and public safety. I’m proud to be counted among our leaders here in South Dakota to side with our citizens and not the criminal illegal immigrants.

On July 1, South Dakota’s Sanctuary City Ban will take effect to enshrine our status as a state that will not harbor violent criminals who are in our country illegally. I was proud to be the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 7 this past year and turn this policy idea into law. SB 7 was so important to ensuring safer communities in South Dakota that it was the first bill that Gov. Rhoden signed into law as the new governor. It passed the legislature with overwhelming support and only Democrat opposition.

The policy in SB 7 helps support President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Noem’s agenda to protect our homeland. South Dakota voters helped elect a leader to secure the southern border including an end to the flow of meth and fentanyl that is tearing South Dakota families apart, and the president is fulfilling that promise. President Trump needs the support of states and cities to remove criminals who pose a danger to their communities, and SB 7 was the answer for South Dakota. Local law enforcement have been supportive of the President’s efforts so far this year. There were eight ICE arrests a few weeks ago, and 26 criminals arrested for other crimes have seen ICE detention holds at the Minnehaha and Pennington county jails.

This new law is straightforward: it blocks counties, cities, the state or state agencies from enforcing sanctuary policies and protects police officers who refuse to follow a sanctuary policy that is illegally adopted by South Dakota local governments. Since SB 7 was signed into law, five other states have followed suit with a sanctuary city ban.

My message for criminals in South Dakota illegally is simple–don’t wait for July 1, leave the United States now. You will not find sanctuary in South Dakota if you are a criminal here illegally, and thanks to President Trump, Secretary Noem and this new law, our communities will be strong, safe and secure.

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Ban on Sanctuary Cities Will Take Effect

PIERRE, S.D. –  On July 1^st, the ban on sanctuary cities in South Dakota, SB 7,  will take effect. This was the first bill Governor Larry Rhoden signed after taking office as Governor.

“We must do everything we can to keep our people safe, including removing criminal illegal aliens from this country. Signing SB 7 was an important step in keeping South Dakota strong, safe, and free,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “President Trump and Secretary Noem are making tremendous strides to keep our nation secure. We will continue to do all we can to support their efforts.”

The bill also provides protections for law enforcement officers carrying out immigration enforcement actions.

You can find video footage of Governor Rhoden signing SB 7 here. You can find a picture of Governor Rhoden signing SB 7 here.

Governor Rhoden continues to take decisive action to keep our state strong, safe, and free. He recently visited our South Dakota National Guard troops at the Southern Border, who are working with the Trump Administration, Secretary Noem, and Border Patrol to protect our nation.

Following that trip, the Governor announced that the South Dakota Highway Patrol obtained a Memorandum of Agreement to assist in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) actions to keep America safe.

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Tammy Hatting to lead SDSMA as next CEO

SIOUX FALLS – JUNE 24, 2025 – The South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA) is pleased to announce Tammy Hatting as its next CEO. Hatting will begin her role on July 7. The position is being vacated by Barb Smith, who is retiring after serving the organization since 2000.

Hatting has served as the chief operating officer for the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) for seven years where she was responsible for advocating on behalf of members and overseeing multiple divisions including human resources, benefits, compliance, and program development. In this role, she was involved in state and federal government relations, lobbying, emergency preparedness, grants management, and policy development. Prior to joining SDAHO, Hatting was the director of innovation for Avera (now Avel) eCARE. In this role, she worked with key business and clinical stakeholders to bring telemedicine services to residents of South Dakota and was an advocate at both the state and federal levels for reimbursement of virtual services. Her experience also includes working at critical access hospitals and clinics in northwest Iowa as a patient relations manager and admissions manager, working across the continuum of care in patient access, EMR initiatives, quality improvement, corporate compliance, risk management, process improvement, and emergency preparedness. Hatting also spent more than 12 years in sales and management for Gateway Computers before entering the healthcare industry.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tammy,” said Keith Hansen, MD, president of the SDSMA. “Her extensive background in healthcare makes her an exceptional choice to lead our organization. We are confident that her leadership will be invaluable as we continue to advocate for physicians and patients, and promote the health of our communities.

Hatting holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Bellevue University, as well as an associate degree in financial management from the American College of Business in Des Moines. She also holds several certifications.

“I am honored to step into this role for the SDSMA,” said Hatting. “I look forward to working closely with members, staff, and partners to serve the needs of physicians and the patients they care for to ensure the highest quality of care for South Dakotans.”

Tammy has been married to her husband Dan for 33 years. They have two adult children: a son who lives in Milford, Iowa, and a daughter who lives in Des Moines. Tammy and Dan have lived in Sioux Falls for eight years, where Dan is employed at Sanford Health in IT services. In their spare time, they enjoy their lake home in Okoboji, traveling as much as possible, and attending sporting events and concerts.

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The SDSMA serves physicians, residents and medical students who are dedicated to the health of South Dakotans. The mission of the SDSMA is to promote the art and science of medicine, protect and improve the health of the public, and advocate for the well-being of physicians and patients and the best environment for physicians to advance quality health care. Learn more about the SDSMA at www.sdsma.org.

State Representative and (2%) Gubernatorial candidate Jon Hansen was in court this week, except he found himself on the witness stand testifying over efforts that the opposing counsel claimed illustrate Hansen’s desire to restrict citizen lawmaking:

The candidate is Jon Hansen, who serves as speaker of the state House of Representatives and is running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in next June’s primary election. He convinced his fellow legislators to pass a bill during the winter that makes the window for gathering ballot-question petition signatures three months shorter, by moving the election-year deadline for submitting signed petitions from May to February.

and..

Several times during witness testimony, Leach pointed to bills Hansen has sponsored during his legislative career to restrict citizen lawmaking.

During this year’s legislative session, for example, Hansen prime-sponsored the bill to shorten the signature-gathering period and also prime-sponsored a bill adding justifications for the secretary of state to reject petition signatures, both of which passed. He co-sponsored a bill vetoed by the governor that would have required constitutional amendment petitions to have signatures from registered voters in each of the 35 state Senate districts. Existing law allows signatures to come from registered voters anywhere in the state.

The state’s lawyer, in response, asked Hansen if he’s opposed to the initiative process or wants to repeal it. Hansen answered no to both questions.

Read the entire story here at SD Searchlight.

The latest from the Minnehaha GOP is another note out today from the County Party Chairman Korry Petterson telling everyone that the rebel group meeting is not proper, nor recognized. Just in case someone was going to recognize it:

Good afternoon Central Committee Members,

I am writing to address the “special meeting” reportedly called by Vice Chair Marsha Symens for today.

After further reviewing the situation and consulting with over a dozen Central Committee members whom did not—including my wife and myself, receive any formal notification—contrary to what is being stated by the Vice Chair, nor has any attempt been made by Marsha, Tom, or Bridget to provide me, as Chairman, with evidence of such notice being sent to out to all members of ourbody, I maintain my previous position as chairman: This meeting was not properly noticed or called in accordance with the established procedure as laidout in our SDGOP bylaws and Robert’s Rules of order. Under the SDGOP bylaws, all official meetings must be conducted with proper notice to ALL relevant members, including clear communication of time, date, location, and agenda. Given that I have received communication again, from over a dozen MCGOP CC members stating they have not been notified, the required procedural threshold has not been met. The Minnehaha County Republican Party will not recognize this gathering as a valid or official meeting, deeming it out of order and without standing under both the RRO and party bylaws.

As previously announced, we will continue with our scheduled Roundtable Zoom call this Thursday, followed by another Roundtable Zoom Call in August. These Roundtable calls will not be official meetings, but rather informal discussions and updates.

Please also plan to see a notice later this summer for an in-person Regularly Called Central Committee meeting scheduled for September.

I recognize that the current situation and confusion are notably frustrating for you as members of the body, and division is certainly not the goal; rather, it is to uphold the integrity of our internal processes. I was duly elected as your Chairman for the next two years, and I take that role and the faith you have entrusted me with as a body very seriously.

This unrecognized “meeting” is another in a long line of ongoing attempts by a small, select group of individuals within the body to divert Minnehaha County from the forward progress we have made, are making, and will continue to create together. Looking ahead, we have a pivotal election cycle on the horizon, and I will need the support and leadership of every precinct committeeman and committeewoman in Minnehaha County. Let us stay focused on our shared goals and avoid unnecessary distractions.

I remain available and open to conversation with any of you. If you have concerns or would like to meet, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at korrypgop@gmail.com.

Thank you for your continued dedication and service to the Minnehaha County Republican Party.

Best Regards,

Korry Petterson
Chairman
Minnehaha County Republicans

Glad he’s cleared that up.

Also, did I miss something regarding the progress they’re supposedly making?

Stay tuned. I’m sure we will see more salvos in the battle over who is in charge of the circus tent.

Thune: Republicans’ Bill Puts American Strength, Safety, and Prosperity First

“[W]e want to allow you to keep more of what you earn so that you can spend it and make decisions that are in the best interests of your family, instead of sending that money to Washington, D.C.”

 Click here or on the picture to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Attorney General Jackley Announces Charges in Prison Inmate Deaths

 PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces two individuals have been indicted on charges related to the drug overdose deaths of two South Dakota Penitentiary inmates that have occurred this year at the Penitentiary.

“We are holding individuals accountable for distributing illegal drugs,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Their action led to the tragic and preventable loss of life.”

Penitentiary inmate Manarion (Mare-nar-ion) Timothy Douglas Fuse, 21, is charged with one count of Distribution of a Controlled Substance, synthetic cannabinoids, that resulted in the death of inmate Anthony Richards on Feb. 6, 2025; and one count of Distribution of a Controlled Substance, synthetic cannabinoids. Fuse is alleged to have provided the drug to Richards who died that night. He faces a maximum of 70 years in prison.

Melibu Lynn Ross, 49, of Sioux Falls is charged with distribution of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, resulting in the death of inmate Jason Garreau, who died on May 15, 2025. She is alleged to have brought the drug into the prison when she visited Garreau on May 14. She faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Both defendants were indicted last week by a Minnehaha County Grand Jury. The cases were investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the South Dakota Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General. The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the cases.

The defendants are presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

Attorney General Jackley said the investigation continues into the suspected drug overdose deaths of two other inmates that occurred this year.

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Attorney General Jackley Announces 24 Prison Inmates Indicted on Charges in May Penitentiary Disturbance

 PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces 24 inmates have been indicted on charges in connection to the May 27 disturbance at the Penitentiary that left 14 inmates injured.

“The defendants orchestrated violent assaults that endangered both inmates and staff,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The Attorney General will hold accountable those engaging in violence within the prison walls.”

The 24 inmates charged in the May 27 disturbance were indicted on either felony or misdemeanor charges including Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, and Rioting. The assaults resulted in 14 inmates injured and four were transported to local hospitals. Maximum sentences for individual defendants extend up to 80 years in prison.

All defendants were indicted last week by a Minnehaha County Grand Jury. The cases were investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the South Dakota Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General. The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the cases.

Court appearances for the defendants will be scheduled later. The defendants are presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

Inmates who have been charged are:

1.            Daniel James Farmer
2.           Montique Rinaldo Bickham
3.           Treysean Mychael Gunnoe
4.           Carlos Luis Riveramontes
5.           Cruz Louis Deleon
6.           Cyruss Baylee Haag
7.           Elias Seth Richard
8.           Bryce Jaymes Spinks
9.           Trevor Joseph Cunningham
10.      Ethan Bradley Phillips
11.      Austin John Esser
12.      Mekohl Louis Tyrel Johnson
13.      Ezekiel Chavez Two Dogs
14.      Luis Javier Perez-Melendez
15.      Hunger High Pipe
16.      Enos Evans Horned Eagle
17.      Dylan Robert Brown
18.      William Christopher Little
19.      Garrett Austin Dumarce
20.      Lyric Murray Hill
21.      Jonathan Alan Denoyer
22.      Adrian Vaughn Lund
23.      Deaundrea Gage Janis
24.      Shaun Ray Valenzuela

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