ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :  Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern 605-773-3215

                        Lake Andes Man Guilty Of Abusing Disabled Adult

PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley and Charles Mix County States Attorney Pam Hein announced today that a Charles Mix County jury returned a verdict yesterday finding Kelly Joe Wells, 28, Lake Andes, guilty of  abuse of a disabled adult, class 6 felony, with a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or $4,000 fine.

The charge stemmed from an incident at a nursing home in Charles Mix County, in which Wells abused an elderly resident. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 17, 2012.

The case was investigated by the Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office, the Division of Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Charles Mix County States Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the state Department of Health.

The jury found Wells not guilty of sexual contact with a person incapable of consenting.
 

 
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