FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 15, 2026

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878

Attorney General Jackley Announces Mitchell Man Found Guilty

Of Two Counts of First-Degree Rape  

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a Mitchell man has been found guilty of two counts of First-Degree Rape involving children under 13 years old.

Eric Mark Opperman, 48, entered a change of plea on Thursday in Davison County Circuit Court, after which he was found guilty. Pursuant to a written plea agreement he faces a maximum sentence of 85 years in prison for the two charges when he is sentenced on Sept. 25, 2026.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred between 2013 and 2025 and involved children under 13 years old.

South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and Mitchell Police Department investigated the case. The Attorney General’s Office and Davison County State’s Attorney prosecuted the case.

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