South Dakota man gets probation for threatening to kill Gov. Noem, judge – Sioux Falls Live

WAGNER, South Dakota — A South Dakota man avoided prison time last week after sending threatening emails and faxes to a governor and a judge.

On Friday, June 28, in the Charles Mix County Courthouse, Jason Shields, 40, of Wagner, was sentenced to four years of probation. Shields pleaded guilty, but mentally ill, to one count of threatening a constitutional officer and one count of threatening a judicial officer.

These allegations arose in October 2022 when the South Dakota State Division of Investigation was notified of an email sent to Judge Donna Bucher and a fax sent to a Sioux Falls television station.

According to court documents, the fax read:

“I’m Jason in Shields and I want to tell you that I and several men in Charles Mix County, South Dakota are getting ready to kill and (assassinate) the Governor of South Dakota…. I’m very excited that it will happen by morning.”

The email to Bucher, with the subject line “You are a pure b—,” allegedly contained multiple threats directed at Bucher and another judge and was signed with Shields’ name.

During police questioning, Shields admitted sending the email and fax, confirmed his statements to Noem and admitted that he acted alone.

With Shields’ motion, prosecutors asked for him to be sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, the court turned to Senate Bill 70, which was passed in 2013. That law stated that probation should be presumed for nonviolent offenders.

Attorney General Marty Jackley said while the state takes threats against public officials seriously, he hopes lawmakers will consider House Bill 70 during next year’s legislative session.

“Threatening a governor and a judge are serious offenses that will be prosecuted,” Jackley said. “The use of Senate Bill 70 in this manner highlights the need for the incoming legislature to consider changes to the presumptive probation statute.”

Shields’ sentence included a five-year suspended sentence for each charge. That sentence could be imposed if he violates the terms of his probation.

Hunter, a South Dakota native, joined Forum Communications as a reporter for the Mitchell (SD) Republic in June 2021. He currently works as a digital reporter for Sioux Falls Live, where he primarily covers Sioux Falls crime and Lincoln County government.