February 5, 2025:
A former state prison employee has been sentenced to 90 days in prison for one count of a Prohibited Sexual Act Between a Prison Employee and a Prisoner.
The judge suspended a two prison term for 36 year old Cassandra Jelsma this week (Feb. 4, 2025) in Bon Homme County Circuit Court.
The criminal activity happened between Nov. 1, 2022, and June 22, 2023, with an inmate at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. Jelsma was a prison employee at the time.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says this behavior is unacceptable and reflects poorly on the vast majority of good employees who work in the state’s correctional facilities.
South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation and Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. The Attorney General’s Office prosecuted it.
October 9, 2024:
A former prison employee has pleaded guilty to one count of a Prohibited Sexual Act Between a Prison Employee and a Prisoner.
Cassandra Jelsma, 36, entered her guilty plea Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024) in Bon Homme Circuit Court. She faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $4,000 fine when she is sentenced Feb. 4, 2025.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the incident happened between Nov. 1, 2022 and June 22, 2023 with an inmate at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. The defendant was a prison employee at the time.
South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation and the South Dakota Department of Corrections Special Investigations Unit investigated the case. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case.
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