Former South Dakota Social Services Employee Sentenced 13 Years For $1.78M Theft

Lonna Carroll, a former South Dakota Department of Social Services employee, was sentenced to 13 years in prison with six years suspended after being convicted of stealing $1.78 million in state and federal funds from the Child Protection Services division. Carroll, who exploited her administrative role to submit fraudulent financial requests over 13 years, was ordered to repay the stolen money and court costs. Attorney General Marty Jackley emphasized that the conviction upholds public trust and warned that his office will continue to aggressively prosecute such abuses of government positions. Carroll's theft involved creating accounts in foster children's names and withdrawing funds for personal use, with the scheme uncovered after her retirement. The investigation was led by the state Division of Criminal Investigation and Legislative Audit, with prosecution by the Attorney General's Office. The case has heightened scrutiny on financial controls within South Dakota state departments and sparked calls for reform.