BROOKINGS — A man from Sinai is going to prison after being sentenced March 4 for having sex with a 14-year-old girl.
Justin G. Paulson, who is 45 now but was 44 at the time of the May 8, 2024, incident, was given 10 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary by Circuit Court Judge Abigail Howard, with three of those years suspended.
“Mr. Paulson used his social media online to solicit the young victim to engage in a sexual encounter,” Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson told The Brookings Register. “This case serves as an example that parents must monitor their children’s social media accounts because individuals like Mr. Paulson are looking to exploit their vulnerability. The several years in prison is the appropriate level of accountability and our community is safer with Mr. Paulson behind bars.”
Paulson was sentenced on two total counts — fourth-degree rape and solicitation of a minor, which are Class 3 and Class 4 felonies respectively. In South Dakota, the former is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine while the latter is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
The sentence was identical for both offenses and will be served concurrently. Paulson pleaded guilty at a court hearing on Sept. 17 and will not be eligible for parole while in prison.
Some of the conditions attached to Paulson’s sentencing include:
• Complying with all sex offender registry requirements.
• No unsupervised contact with any person under age 18.
• No unsupervised internet or computer usage, including accessing with a smartphone, until approved by a supervising agent and treatment provider.
• Participate and complete sex offender counseling and/or treatment at the discretion and direction of the state Department of Corrections.
• Pay costs of $2,500 through the Clerk of Court’s Office for the costs of a psychosexual assessment.
According to information in a May 2024 probable cause statement, Paulson drove two juvenile girls from Sioux Falls to Brookings. One of them agreed to have sex with him for $300, with the incident occurring on May 8, 2024.
Paulson denied having sex with either of the girls, who also told investigators that he had previously purchased alcohol for them.
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
Leave a Reply