Mitchell man pleads no contest to July rape charge

A 26-year-old Mitchell man has pleaded no contest to fourth-degree rape.

Blair Louis Margiotti, 26, pleaded no contest to the charge he raped a girl younger than 16 in Mitchell in July.

In exchange for the plea, the Davison County State’s Attorney’s Office agreed to request a suspended execution of sentence for Margiotti, and also agreed not to object to any request by Margiotti’s attorney for a suspended imposition of sentence.

Davison County State’s Attorney Pat Smith informed the court the state had evidence matching a sample of Margiotti’s DNA with DNA found on the victim’s clothing and body.

A Mitchell Police Division report states the alleged incident took place on July 30, at Margiotti’s residence in Mitchell, and that both he and the victim were intoxicated by alcohol at the time. The incident was reported to Mitchell police on Aug. 9.

Margiotti was placed in custody on an arrest warrant on Oct. 11, after he failed to turn himself into authorities.

A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing was set for April.

Margiotti was also involved in an accidental shooting of another Mitchell resident, Rocky Reuer, 25, in June.

He pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and ordered to pay $7,178.15 in restitution to the victim.

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