Chamberlain, South Dakota: Teen Arrested in Fatal Stabbing of Dustin Thomas

An 18 year old Chamberlain man has been arrested in the stabbing death of a 44 year old man at a residence in Chamberlain on Sunday evening, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and Brule County State's Attorney Theresa Maule announced on Thursday.

Michael Ottmo, 18, of Chamberlain has been charged with one count of aggravated assault. Officials said additional charges are pending. Ottmo is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution, the Attorney General's office said in its release.

The Sunday evening call

Chamberlain Police were called to a residence at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday. Officers found Dustin Thomas, 44, of Chamberlain with serious injuries. Thomas was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, the Attorney General's release said. KCCR Radio reported that Thomas died at the Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center.

Neither the Attorney General's release nor the local reports on Thursday said what led to the stabbing. The releases did not give the address of the residence, did not describe a weapon, and did not say whether Ottmo and Thomas knew each other. Readers should treat those points as unanswered until investigators release more information.

State investigators lead the case

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation. The Chamberlain Police Department, the Brule County Sheriff's Office and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department are assisting, according to the Attorney General's release.

The case is being prosecuted by the South Dakota Attorney General's Office and the Brule County State's Attorney's Office. The investigation remains ongoing, officials said.

Court dates are already set

Ottmo made an initial appearance in court on Monday, KCCR Radio reported. A status hearing was held on Wednesday. A preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Friday, November 13 at 10 a.m., and Ottmo has been appointed a defense attorney, Steve Smith of Chamberlain, KCCR reported.

The charge filed so far is aggravated assault, and officials in both the Attorney General's release and the local reporting said additional charges are pending while the investigation continues. No further hearing result had been announced by Thursday evening.

Chamberlain is the Brule County seat on the Missouri River in central South Dakota. Anyone with information about the case can contact the Chamberlain Police Department or the Division of Criminal Investigation through the Attorney General's office.