Last March, Senator Stace Nelson (R-19/Fulton) filed formal complaints against Brown County Sheriff Mark Milbrandt, Brown County Deputy David Lunzman, former Brown County Deputy Ross Erickson, and rookie Madison City Police Officer Mathew Wollmann, claiming their past involvement with sexual harassment disqualifies them from service in law enforcement.
Erickson voluntarily surrendered his badge. Today the Division of Criminal Investigation announced it has finished its investigation and found insufficient evidence to take the badges of the other three:
A professional standards commissioner was assigned to review and investigate the allegations, per the release. That investigator determined the evidence was not sufficient to support a certification revocation hearing for Milbrandt, Lunzman and Wollmann. Erickson voluntarily surrendered his law enforcement certification, making the investigation into his case moot, according to the release.
“I cannot stress the quality and outstanding work of our executive secretary and investigators enough,” said DCI director David Natvig in the release. “Their dedication to professionalism and ethics for the law enforcement professionals in South Dakota makes our state a better, safer place for all of us to live, work and raise our families” [Elisa Sand, “Complaints Against Milbrandt, Lunzman Dismissed {paywall},” Aberdeen American News, 2019.11.15].
Senator Nelson should make sure all of his headlights and taillights are working before driving through Madison or Brown County. Smokey will surely be tight on his tail.
It’s good to be a registered Republican in SD..