Six South Dakota baseball players ages 17 to 19 have been charged in connection with the rape of two minors – one of their victims was identified as male.
Lincoln Bates, 18, Hudson Haley, 18, Carter Miller, 18, Landon Waddell, 19, Peyton Mandel, 17, and Karter Sibson, 17, are all charged with sexual assault between June 1 and 4 June took part in a tournament.
Both victims were 16 years old at the time. The gender of the second victim is unknown.
The circumstances of the attack were initially portrayed as a “team hazing ritual,” but Pennington County Prosecutor Lara Roetzel rejected the notion, instead calling it a “violent attack.”
The former Mitchell Legion teammates pleaded not guilty at their first court hearing Tuesday.
Hudson Haley, 18, was charged with two counts of second-degree rape and one count of aiding and abetting second-degree rape
Landon Waddell, 19, was charged with one count of second-degree rape and two counts of aiding and abetting second-degree rape
Bates and Waddell graduated from Mitchell High School, where they played on the Legion baseball team. The four other defendants are still students.
They are each charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape.
Haley faces rape charges related to a second victim, while Waddell faces two charges of aiding and abetting two different victims.
The charges are Class 1 felonies punishable by up to 50 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
That means Haley and Waddell each face up to 150 years.
Although Mandel and Sibson – the 17-year-olds – are minors, they will be tried as adults due to South Dakota law and the seriousness of the crime.
Back in June, the Mitchell Baseball Association suspended team activities amid allegations of player misconduct.
Lincoln Bates, 18, was charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape
Carter Miller, 18, was charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape
In court, Peyton Mandel’s attorney asked the judge if his client could attend school and school activities.
Seventeen-year-old Mandel attends the same school as one of the alleged victims.
He is allowed to attend school but must stay 30 feet away from the victim and can participate in other activities – Mandel is also a member of the Kernel boys’ basketball team – as long as the victim is not involved.
At school events he must maintain a distance of 30 meters from the victim at all times.
Waddell requested a modification to his bail, which was granted and allowed him to travel with his family over the holidays.
Peyton Mandel, 17, was charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape. He will be tried as an adult
Karter Sibson, 17, was charged with second-degree rape and aiding and abetting second-degree rape. He will be tried as an adult
The Pennington County District Attorney’s Office reiterated that additional charges may be pending against adults related to the team who had knowledge of the crimes and failed to report them.
The ability to accuse others was introduced in August.
Second-degree rape and aiding and abetting rape are Class 1 felonies punishable by up to 50 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
All defendants are out on bail.
A status hearing is scheduled for Feb. 6 at 2:30 p.m.
What are the Mitchell Legion baseball players accused of?
Hudson Michael Haley, 18
- Second degree rape (x2)
- Aiding and abetting second degree rape
(The charges involve two different victims)
Landon William Waddell, 19
- Second degree rape
- Aiding and abetting second degree rape (x2)
(The charges involve two different victims)
Peyton Douglas Mandel, 17
- Second degree rape
- Aiding and abetting second degree rape
Lincoln Charles Bates, 18
- Second degree rape
- Aiding and abetting second degree rape
Carter Ryan Miller, 18
- Second degree rape
- Aiding and abetting second degree rape
Karter Marcus Sibson, 17
- Second degree rape
- Aiding and abetting second degree rape