The Hughes County Sheriff’s Office has released the unedited body camera footage of a traffic enforcement stop involving South Dakota’s Attorney General.
A Hughes County Sheriff’s Deputy cited Jason Ravnsborg of Pierre for Speeding on Other Roadways (SDCL 32-25-7) Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, at approximately 8:50pm CDT on South Garfield Avenue in Pierre. Radar indicated a speed of 57mph in a posted 35mph speed zone.
Hughes County Sheriff Patrick Callahan says he released the video following media and public inquires citing disclosure under the state open records law (SDCL 1-27-1.5 (5)).
The Aug. 22 stop came four days before Ravnsborg’s Aug. 26, 2021, court appearance where he pleaded “no contest” to two misdemeanor traffic charges related to the highway death of Joeseph Boever near Highmore in September of last year (2020).
The judge ordered no jail time, but did fine Ravnsborg $500 on each of the two misdemeanor counts. Ravnsborg was also ordered to pay assorted court costs.
Ravnsborg, who faces the potential of impeachment by the state Legislature, says he plans to remain in office and has been making appearances around the state in advance of running for reelection next year. Governor Kristi Noem, the South Dakota Democratic Party and organizations representing the state’s law enforcement officers are among the entities calling for him to resign.
In February, District 24 Republican Representative Will Mortenson of Pierre filed a resolution proposing articles of impeachment to remove Ravnsborg from office. HCR7001 included one Article concerning the crimes and misdemeanors that caused the death of Joseph Boever on September 12, 2020, and a separate, second Article concerning the statements and actions of Ravnsborg in reporting the crime and the resulting investigation.
In March, District 23 representative and Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch from Glenham said the House would wait until after “the judicial system is able to do its job” to proceed with articles of impeachment against Ravnsborg. Governor Kristi Noem says Ravnsborg should resign or be impeached by the legislature. She’s instructed the state Department of Public Safety to provide Gosch a complete copy of the investigation file “to assist the House in its important work.” No word yet from Gosch on how he plans to proceed.
According to the Associated Press, Boever’s family members complained bitterly before Ravnsborg was sentenced that the law didn’t provide stiff enough punishment for the attorney general. Ravnsborg didn’t attend the hearing and was represented by his lawyer, as was his right.
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