Douglas deputy arraigned on theft charges; trial set

SIOUX FALLS — A date was set for the trial of Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Rob Hotchkiss during an arraignment Monday morning at the Minnehaha County Courthouse.

If the case against Hotchkiss makes it past pretrial meetings in December and early January, it would go to court the week of Jan. 23.

Hotchkiss has been charged with four felony counts of grand theft by deception, each punishable by 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Hotchkiss was seated Monday beside his lawyer, Donna Bucher, of the Mitchell-based law firm Tinan, Smith and Bucher, when he heard the charges read to him by Judge Houwman at the arraignment in Sioux Falls.

Hotchkiss’ case was assigned to Judge Peter Lieberman, with Special Assistant Attorney General Donald N. Srstka representing the state.

The charges against Hotchkiss can be traced to four incidents in 2008 when he allegedly submitted fraudulent insurance applications that he received commission for while working for an insurance company in Sioux Falls.

Hotchkiss has been on administrative leave from his position as deputy since he was indicted last month.

Tags: douglas county, news, crime, court, hotchkiss, fraud