Executive Summary
- Melany St. Pierre was sentenced to time served and a suspended prison term for third-offense DUI and child neglect.
- A bench warrant was issued for Adam Mandan Marshall after he failed to appear on grand theft and hit-and-run charges.
- Blaise Hofer’s trial for possession of child sexual abuse material was rescheduled to April 2025.
- Dan Cruz-Clemente pleaded not guilty to allegedly stealing over $4,300 via gift card fraud at Walmart.
MITCHELL, S.D. — A wide range of felony cases, ranging from grand theft and drug distribution to witness tampering and child neglect, were heard Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Davison County Public Safety Center. Circuit Court Judge Chris Giles presided over the session, which included arraignments, sentencings, and status hearings for multiple defendants.
Among the sentencings, Melany St. Pierre, 22, of Mitchell, appeared for judgment regarding a third-offense DUI conviction and a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the abuse or neglect of a child. According to court records, St. Pierre received a 113-day jail sentence for the misdemeanor count, with credit granted for 113 days already served. Regarding the Class 6 felony DUI charge, Judge Giles sentenced her to three years in prison, with all time suspended, alongside a $600 fine and a one-year driver’s license revocation.
In a separate sentencing involving controlled substances, Cleo Gravatt, 47, of Mitchell, received a five-year suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine. The court ordered her to pay a $750 fine. Similarly, Timothy Kelly Jr., 41, of Rapid City, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession or distribution of an intoxicating substance, which replaced an original felony amphetamine charge. Kelly was sentenced to 67 days in jail, with credit for seven days served and the remainder suspended.
Significant procedural developments occurred in several high-profile cases. Blaise Hofer, 32, of Mitchell, appeared for a status hearing regarding five Class 4 felony charges for possession of child sexual abuse material. The defense requested a continuance, and the court successfully rescheduled the jury trial from February to April. Additionally, Becky Robertson, 41, remains in custody following her guilty plea to witness tampering. Her sentencing hearing was rescheduled for April, and she was granted a personal recognizance bond with strict no-contact orders regarding the victims and her oldest child.
The docket also addressed multiple theft allegations. Dan Cruz-Clemente, 19, pleaded not guilty to Class 5 felony grand theft. Court documents allege Cruz-Clemente stole approximately $4,325 from a local Walmart between Dec. 3 and Dec. 6, 2025, by activating gift cards with the intent to sell them. Adam Mandan Marshall, 27, failed to appear for his arraignment on grand theft and hit-and-run charges. Authorities stated Marshall allegedly fled the scene of an accident in a stolen vehicle and hid in a motel lobby. Judge Giles issued a $2,000 cash bench warrant for his arrest.
Procedural Outlook and Judicial Scheduling
The January 27 docket highlights the current operational tempo of the Davison County circuit court, with jury trials for serious felonies now being scheduled as far out as June. The proceedings demonstrate the court’s utilization of suspended sentences and probation for non-violent drug and alcohol offenses, prioritizing supervision over incarceration for eligible defendants. Conversely, the swift issuance of bench warrants for non-appearance signals the judiciary’s intent to maintain strict procedural adherence. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
