Not guilty pleas to rape, possession of child pornography

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BROOKINGS – A Brookings man has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he raped two girls and was in possession of child pornography between July 2017 and February 2019.

A Brookings County grand jury indicted 23-year-old Dalton Lenger on March 1 on three counts of first-degree rape, two counts of fourth-degree rape, one count of sexual contact with a child under 16, and nine counts of possession of child pornography.

Lenger entered his not guilty pleas in Brookings County Circuit Court last week, and a jury trial has been scheduled for May 22.

Lenger was arrested after Brookings police took a Feb. 12 report of rape from Child’s Voice in Sioux Falls. A memorandum of arrest alleges that Lenger had sexual contact with two victims, now ages 11 and 13. It also alleges that police found nine videos depicting sexual acts with a juvenile on Lenger’s cell phone.

Lenger is free after a third party posted $30,000 cash-only bond.

First-degree rape is a Class C felony punishable by up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine for each count. Fourth-degree rape and sexual contact with a child under 16 are Class 3 felonies punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine for each count.

Possession of child pornography is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for each count.

Contact Jill Fier at jfier@brookingsregister.com.