Sioux Falls Deputy's Justifiable Force Examined By Attorney General

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has made a ruling on the use of force by law enforcement during a June incident in Sioux Falls.

The Ruling

Jackley says that a South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) review has determined that a Minnehaha County Deputy Sheriff was justified in the use of force in the June 26th incident, when law enforcement was attempting to serve a felony warrant on Will-Anthony Owen Jellis, 47, at his Sioux Falls home. Jellus was located outside the home by law enforcement. He then went into the home where he barricaded himself.

The Details

Officers entered the home and commanded Jellis to surrender, but he refused. Jellis was armed with a loaded shotgun and pointed it at the officers. The deputy fired 10 rounds at Jellis, who was struck twice and received non-life-threatening injuries. Members of the Sioux Falls Police Department SWAT team apprehended Jellis and administered aid until he was taken to a local hospital.

“DCI’s investigation and review of the evidence indicates that the deputy’s actions were justified,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The suspect pointed a loaded shotgun at law enforcement officers, and there was a clear and present danger to the officers’ safety.”

No officers were injured.

Lab results later indicated that Jellis had a blood alcohol content of .049 percent. He also tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

READ THE INCIDENT REPORT HERE

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The Charges

Jellis faces charges in Minnehaha County of four counts of Aggravated Assault against a Law Enforcement Officer for the June 26 incident, four counts of Simple Assault against a Law Enforcement Officer from a previous incident on June 9, and two counts of Resisting Arrest, one count from June 9 and the other on June 26.

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