Republican South Dakota State Senate candidate Joel Koskan is facing charges relating to the alleged sexual abuse of a family member, according to the Mitchell Republic.
Koskan, 44, faces a Class 4 felony charge filed Thursday of exposing a minor to foreseeable harm, according to the Mitchell Republic.
A probable cause document obtained by the Mitchell Republic revealed that Koskan allegedly partook in the sexual abuse of a 19-year-old female relative “since she was a young child.”
The document further reveals that Koskan allegedly gave the relative, whom he reportedly asked to sit on his lap, long hugs and kisses. Koskan also allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with her on various occasions, the Mitchell Republic reported.
Joel Koskan, a 44-year-old Republican from Wood, is accused of exposing a minor to a foreseeable harm; he allegedly exposed someone to sexual grooming behaviors. He is running for a District 26 Senate seat. A brief thread: (1/4) https://t.co/WWgAxABMV5
— Dan Santella (@KELODanS) November 3, 2022
Authorities took Koskan into custody, and he faces an initial court hearing in Mellette County Nov. 7. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine, according to the Mitchell Republic. (RELATED: FBI Accused Of Pulling Agents Off Child Sex Abuse Cases To Investigate Jan. 6)
“The allegation against Joel Koskan is very serious, and the South Dakota Republican Party unequivocally opposes child abuse in all forms,” said South Dakota GOP Chairman Dan Lederman in an email to the Forum News Service, the Mitchell Republic reported.
South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Randy Seiler called on Koskan to “immediately end his campaign” in a statement. “Partisan politics aside,” Seiler continued, “Joel Koskan should not be voting in the legislature on issues that affect South Dakota kids – or any issues at all.”
In September a former Kansas teacher was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation while a former Sunday school teacher in North Carolina received an 87-year prison sentence in August for sex crimes involving children. Socialite Paris Hilton revealed in October that she faced sexual abuse as a teenager.
Koskan’s campaign site was set to private before the Daily Caller could reach out for comment.