One of several South Dakota baseball players charged in rape case pleads guilty to lesser felony

MITCHELL, SD– One of many former players of an American Legion baseball team in South Dakota Accused of rape last year has pleaded guilty to a less serious crime.

The 19-year-old former Mitchell player pleaded guilty to accessory to a crime, according to court documents cited by KELO-TV on Tuesday. Sentencing will take place in August and as part of a plea agreement, the former player agreed to testify against other defendants.

The American Legion sponsors summer baseball leagues for high school-age players throughout the US

In August, six players were indicted by a grand jury on charges of second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape. Three others were charged in juvenile court. According to the indictment, the victims were 16 when they were attacked during a tournament in Rapid City, South Dakota, in June 2023.

The other players charged in the case are scheduled to appear in court on July 1 for a status hearing.