DEADWOOD, S.D. – Former Deadwood City Commissioner Blake Joseph entered a guilty plea on July 1 to multiple misdemeanor charges as part of a negotiated plea agreement, which led to the dismissal of several other counts.
Under the terms of the deal, Joseph admitted guilt to:
- Harassing communications
- Violating protection and no-contact orders
- Vehicle tampering
- Speeding
In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dismissed four additional counts of violating a no-contact order.
Case Background & Sentencing
The convictions stem from a series of incidents involving harassing messages sent to a male victim, alongside repeated violations of court orders tied to an active domestic violence case in Butte County.
The court handed Joseph a total of 30 days in jail on the misdemeanor convictions; however, the sentences were fully suspended on the condition that he strictly complies with all court-ordered terms.
Remaining Legal Battles
While this agreement resolves some of his immediate legal troubles, the former commissioner’s legal battles are far from over. Joseph is still facing separate, ongoing criminal cases in both Butte and Lawrence counties. Those outstanding allegations include:
- Domestic violence
- Burglary
- Identity theft and theft
- Drug possession
- Obstructing law enforcement
Joseph is scheduled to return to court for those separate matters later this month.
