Six South Dakota baseball players, aged 17 to 19, stand accused of raping another teen while attending a tournament in June – with two of them charged with assaulting another victim too.
The circumstances of the assault were originally framed as a ‘team hazing ritual’ but Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel rejected the notion, instead calling it a ‘forcible assault.’
Lincoln Bates, 18, Hudson Haley, 18, Carter Miller, 18, Landon Waddell, 19, Peyton Mandel, 17, and Karter Sibson, 17 are all accused after the rape was allegedly carried out between June 1 and 4.
The former Mitchell Legion teammates pleaded ‘not guilty’ during their first court hearing on Tuesday.
The 16-year-old victims were allegedly assaulted while the team was in Rapid City for a baseball tournament. At least one victim is male and not a member of the baseball team.
Hudson Haley, 18, was charged with two counts of second-degree rape and one count of aiding and abetting second-degree rape
Landon Waddell, 19, was charged with one count of second-degree rape and two counts of aiding and abetting second-degree rape
Bates and Waddell have graduated from Mitchell High School, where they played on the Legions baseball team. The four other defendants are still students.
They are each charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape.
Haley faces an extra rape charge for a second victim, while Waddell was handed two counts of aiding and abetting for two separate victims.
The charges are Class 1 Felonies punishable by up to 50 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
This means Haley and Waddell could face up to 150 years each.
Although Mandel and Sibson – the 17-year-olds – are minors, they are being tried as adults due to South Dakota law and the severity of the crime.
Back in June, the Mitchell Baseball Association suspended team activities amid allegations of player misconduct.
Lincoln Bates, 18, was charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape
Carter Miller, 18, was charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape
In court, Peyton Mandel’s attorney asked the judge whether his client could attend school and school activities.
Seventeen-year-old Mandel goes to the same school as one of the alleged victims.
He will be allowed to attend school, but must stay 30 feet away from the victim, and can participate in other activities – Mandel is also a member of the Kernel Boys Basketball team – as long as the victim isn’t involved.
At school events, he is required to stay 100 feet away from the victim at all times.
Waddell asked for a modification to his bond, which was granted, allowing him to travel with his family over the holidays.
Peyton Mandel, 17, was charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape. He will be tried as an adult
Karter Sibson, 17, was charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape. He will be tried as an adult
The Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office reiterated that additional charges may be on the horizon for adults associated with the team who had knowledge of and failed to report the crimes.
The possibility of others being charged was introduced back in August.
Second-degree rape and aiding and abetting rape are Class 1 Felonies punishable by up to 50 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
All of the defendants are out on bond.
A status hearing is scheduled for 2.30pm on February 6.
