RAPID CITY, S.D. – Six American Legion Baseball players from Mitchell, S.D., will not face any jail time for their role in the rape of another team member. After guilty pleas to a lesser crime, each has received a three-year probation and suspended sentences, a no-contact order, 500 hours of community service not related to sports, a fine of $1,300, a requirement to write letters of apology.
The charges come from an incident in June of 2023 when the six players took part in a sexual assault while staying in a hotel for a tournament in Rapid City. Following an investigation into the matter the six players were charged with second degree rape and aiding and abetting charges.
A coach connected to the team was also prosecuted for, and acquitted of, failure to report child abuse. Similar charges were dismissed against a team board member as well.
The team members are Landon Waddell, 20; Hudson Hailey, 19; Carter Miller, 19; Lincoln Bates, 19; and 18-year-olds Peyton Mandel and Karter Sibson. The event was captured on video, which was used as evidence in the courtroom.
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The high-profile case first rose to prominence after second-degree rape charges were filed against the six. In South Dakota, second-degree rape constitutes the use of force, coercion, or threats to commit nonconsensual sexual acts. As a class 1 felony, it comes with the potential of 50 years if convicted.
Initially, the six defendants plead not guilty, and the incident was framed by the group initially as a “team hazing ritual.” That definition was rejected by the Pennington County States Attorney, who prosecuted the group as adults.
One by one however, the team members flipped, and eventually each submitted guilty pleads to the state. In turn for that plea deal all rape charges against the team were dropped. Instead, the group took one count of accessory to a felony, which holds a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Judge Robert Gusinsky heard from the victim and his father. The judge told them they should have been applauded for coming forward, not shamed by their community.
When it came time for sentencing, the Judge Gusinsky said he was bothered because he saw some people in the courtroom smirking as the video of the sexual assault played.
He also told the courtroom he was disappointed that one of the victim’s former coaches wrote a character letter claiming the victim only came forward because he wasn’t getting enough playing time.
The Pennington County State’s attorney released the full sentencing argument of Major Crimes Senior Deputy Attorney Roxanne Hammond. It is not often that the entire sentencing argument is released, but due to the case’s “significant media attention, speculation, and circulating rumors” the State’s Attorney’s office felt it was for the best.
Prosecuting attorney Deputy Attorney Roxanne Hammond said she hoped this case was a wake-up call to other sports teams.
