A jury trial for NDN Collective founder and CEO Nick Tilsen focused Tuesday on a central question: What was his intent during a 2022 confrontation with Rapid City police?
The case stems from a June 11, 2022 incident in which Rapid City Police Officer Nicholas Glass was conducting a pedestrian stop at 7th and St. Joseph Street. Prosecutors allege that when Tilsen arrived in a red pickup truck, he accelerated toward the officer in an attempt to strike him.
Tilsen’s defense rejects that version of events, arguing he was attempting to park and intervene to ensure the officer was not mistreating a detained family member.
Tuesday marked the second day of testimony, with jurors reviewing dash‑camera footage, body‑camera video, and surveillance recordings from a nearby business — all capturing the disputed moment. Officer Glass and other responding officers also took the stand to describe what they saw.
Tilsen faces three charges: aggravated assault, simple assault of a police officer, and obstruction of a police officer. A conviction on all counts could carry a sentence of up to 26 years in prison.
NDN Collective has characterized the prosecution as politically motivated, saying the case aims to silence a prominent movement leader by criminalizing his actions.
The trial is expected to continue throughout the week as both sides present their full arguments.
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