Oct. 15, 2025:
The South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld the prosecution and conviction of a man from Fort Pierre for sexual offenses against two young girls.
Donnie Edwards was found guilty in August 2024 by a Stanley County jury of four counts of First Degree Rape, one count of Fourth Degree Rape, two counts of Aggravated Incest, one count of Incest, and one count of Sexual Contact with a Child Under the Age of Sixteen. He was sentenced in November 2024 to 60 years in prison.
Edwards’ appeal was heard last week (Oct. 9, 2025) during Supreme Court oral arguments held at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law. He argued that he should have been tried separately on the charges of each victim, that the circuit court abused its discretion by denying a motion for a mistrial after the late disclosure of a juror bias, and for denying a motion for a mistrial based on a prosecutor’s question to a witness about the defendant’s past. The Supreme Court rejected all three arguments.
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office represented the state on the appeal.
NOVEMBER 1, 2024:
A 46 year old man from Fort Pierre man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison on nine felony charges involving two different children.
In August (Aug. 1, 2024), a Stanley County jury determined Donnie Edwards was guilty of four counts of First Degree Rape, one count of Fourth Degree Rape, two counts of Aggravated Incest, one count of Incest, and one count of Sexual Contact with a Child Under the Age of Sixteen. The charges occurred between 2007 and 2022.
During a sentencing hearing Friday (Nov. 1, 2024) at the Hughes County Courthouse in Pierre, Edwards’ attorney said Edwards maintains that he’s innocent, but acknowledged he needs to receive mental health assistance. The attorney said Edwards has a support system, referencing about a dozen people in the courtroom and 30-some letters of support from people who know him.
Also during the sentencing hearing, the two victims gave impact statements calling Edwards a “manipulator” and a “predator” who abused his position as their father or step-father.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Brent Kempema called Edwards a “textbook sexual predator and a psychopath” who lied on the stand. When asking that the judge impose the maximum possible punishment, Kempema called Edwards the “worst of the worst.”
Edwards was remanded to the custody of law enforcement to begin serving his sentence.
South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation and the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and the Stanley County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuted.
AUGUST 1, 2024:
A 46 year old man from Fort Pierre has been convicted of nine felonies involving two different children.
In Stanley County Circuit Court Thursday (Aug. 1, 2024), Donnie Edwards was found guilty of four counts of First Degree Rape, one count of Fourth Degree Rape, two counts of Aggravated Incest, one count of Incest, and one count of Sexual Contact with a Child Under the Age of Sixteen.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the crimes occurred between 2007 and 2022.
Edwards faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation and the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and the Stanley County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuted.
NOVEMBER 8, 2022:
A 44 year old man from Stanley County has entered “not guilty” pleas to 11 sex-related charges.
Donnie Edwards is charged with:
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1 count of Criminal Pedophilia,
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4 counts of First Degree Rape,
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1 count of Fourth Degree Rape,
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1 count of Sexual Contact with a Child Under Sixteen,
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2 counts of Aggravated Incest, and
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2 counts of Incest.
In court today (Nov. 8, 2022), Edwards’ attorney requested the $250,000 cash bond be reduced. The judge allowed the bond to become a $250,000 cash or surety bond. If he gets out on bond, Edwards must obey a variety of court conditions including (but not limited to):
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no contact with the victims
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no contact with his 2-year-old daughter or step son
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not be within 100 yards of kids under 18 years of age
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no possession or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs
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be subject to random alcohol or drug testing
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comply with the state’s 24/7 Program
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turn over all firearms, dangerous weapons or explosives to the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office
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follow all conditions set by the Hughes County Jail
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check in weekly with his attorney
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make all court appearances
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not leave South Dakota
Edwards’ next court date was scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023, at 9am CT.
The case is being investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation with the assistance from the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office. It’s being prosecuted by the Offices of the state Attorney General and the Stanley County State’s Attorney.
OCTOBER 26, 2022:
A local grand jury has determined there is enough information to charge a 44 year old man from Stanley County with multiple sex-related violations.
States Attorney Tom Maher says Donnie Edwards was indicted on 1 count of Criminal Pedophilia, 4 counts of First Degree Rape, 1 count of Fourth Degree Rape, 1 count of Sexual Contact with a Child Under Sixteen, 2 counts of Aggravated Incest, and 2 counts of Incest.
Edwards is currently detained in the custody of the Stanley County Sheriff at the Hughes County Jail on $250,000 cash bond.
The case is being investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation with the assistance from the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office. It’s being prosecuted by the Offices of the state Attorney General and the Stanley County State’s Attorney.
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