S.D. Firefighter Landowner Suspects Arson as Large Wildfire Cause April 26, 2021
A former wildland firefighter who owns the land where a burn pile ignited a large wildfire near Rapid City says he believe the blaze was intentionally set.
In a 60-page report, the landowner told investigators he was “100% sure the burn pile fire was completely out.” The landowner says he’s experienced two suspicious fires since buying the property in 2018.
The Schroeder Fire broke out the morning of March 29 and burned about 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers).
At least one home and two outbuildings were destroyed in the fire. More than 150 personnel responded to the fire that caused more than 400 people to evacuate their homes near Rapid City and closed Mount Rushmore.
KNBN NewsCenter1
April 21, 2021
RAPID CITY, S.D. Members of the the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and Rapid City Police are wearing colors of support for victims of crime.
Dozens of staffers gathered in front of the Public Safety Building on Wednesday wearing either purple, teal, or dark blue.
Purple represents this week as National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, Teal is for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and dark blue signified Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month.
The two law enforcement agencies posed for a photo to help raise awareness of these victims and support their rights.
The hope is to send a message to victims that they are not alone and that help is available.
Firefighter land owner has theory about large wildfire cause Follow Us
Question of the Day
By - Associated Press - Thursday, April 22, 2021
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A former wildland firefighter who owns the land where a burn pile ignited a large wildfire near Rapid City says he believe the blaze was intentionally set.
In a 60-page report, the landowner told investigators he was “100% sure the burn pile fire was completely out.” The landowner says he’s experienced two suspicious fires since buying the property in 2018.
The Schroeder Fire broke out the morning of March 29 and burned about 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers).
The owner of the land where investigators say the Schroeder Fire ignited in a slash pile is a former wildland firefighter who believes the blaze began with an arson.
“We have reason to believe the Schroeder Fire was caused intentionally, by an unrelated third party,” the owner wrote in a written statement cited in a 60-page investigative report.
“I am 100% sure the burn pile fire was completely out,” he said.
The Schroeder Fire broke out around 9:22 a.m. on March 29 at 8875 Schroeder Road, about four miles west of Rapid City, according to the report by a private fire investigator.
All evidence points to the fire being caused by a large permitted slash pile lit March 16 on the property that wasn’t completely put out once the snow melted and the fire began on an incredibly windy day, according to investigator Todd Hedglin.
Pierre, SD, USA / DRGNews
Apr 20, 2021 7:19 PM
A 34 year old man from Rapid City, SD, has been convicted of five counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, one count of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, six counts of Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, two counts of Receipt of Child Pornography and one count of Possession of Child Pornography following a week-long federal jury trial held in US District Court in Rapid City.
The guilty verdicts against Kyle Garret Soto were returned Friday (April 16, 2021).
Court documents show between February 2014 and April 2018, Soto engaged in prolific sexual activity with numerous minors over the internet, including demanding, receiving, and sending pornographic images and videos. Soto threatened to distribute the minors’ images and videos online if they failed to comply with his ultimatums to provide him with additional pornographic items. Subsequent to his arrest in April 2018, forensic examination of Soto’s devices revealed