RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man has been given a suspended 15-year prison sentence after entering an Alford plea in a child sexual abuse case involving an 8-year-old boy.
45-year-old David Sprague was sentenced Monday in Pennington County Circuit Court. Under a plea agreement, Sprague pleaded to a reduced charge of fourth-degree rape. Prosecutors dismissed more serious charges that had originally carried the possibility of a life sentence.
Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Gina Nelson told the court the plea agreement was reached before she took over the case and was intended to spare the child from the additional trauma of a trial.
During sentencing, the victim’s family expressed frustration with the plea agreement and the length of time the case took to reach sentencing. The victim’s mother described the lasting impact the abuse has had on her son and asked the court to impose a tougher penalty.
Judge Jeffrey Connolly said he viewed the case with a heavy heart, condemning Sprague’s actions while ultimately following the terms of the plea agreement. In addition to the suspended prison sentence, Sprague was placed on 15 years of probation.
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