Corona Man Sentenced in Watertown Stolen Vehicle Case Linked to Apartment Shooting Report
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A chaotic early‑morning incident involving a stolen vehicle, underage drinking, and a reported shooting at a Watertown apartment has resulted in a felony conviction for 21‑year‑old Khayri Earl Bergman of Corona, South Dakota. While several charges were initially filed — including first‑degree burglary and accessory to a felony — prosecutors ultimately secured a conviction on one count: Receiving or Possessing a Stolen Vehicle, a Class 5 felony.
The case stems from a series of events on May 27, 2026, beginning with a stolen Ford Explorer reported to the Roberts County Sheriff’s Office around 5:30 a.m. The vehicle’s owner, Daniel Adermann of Wilmot, told deputies he last saw the SUV the previous evening.
Shooting Report at Watertown Apartment
Just before 11:00 a.m., dispatch received a call from Ashley Lindberg, reporting that a 14‑year‑old girl had been involved in a shooting at 1630 3rd Avenue SW, Apartment E8. Lindberg said individuals inside the stolen Explorer had fired a shot at a female and were inside the apartment.
Officers arrived minutes later and found what appeared to be a bullet hole in the vinyl siding near the apartment’s front door. The stolen Explorer was located shortly afterward at the Codington County Extension Complex, where officers conducted a felony stop and detained four individuals:
· A 16‑year‑old male (initials BA)
· Khayri Bergman, 21
· A 14‑year‑old female (VB)
· Isabella Rios, 18
Investigators suspected the shooting victim was Emaliyah Renville, who later told detectives BA had strangled her during a struggle over a pistol and briefly could not breathe.
Witness Accounts Describe Underage Drinking, Firearm Handling, and Threats
Interviews conducted by Watertown Police and Codington County detectives revealed a chaotic scene inside the apartment. According to statements from Rios, BA had been “recklessly handling a pistol,” loading and unloading rounds, pointing the weapon’s light at others, and strangling Renville during an attempt to disarm him. The gun discharged shortly afterward, prompting VB and Rios to flee upstairs.
Rios also told officers she overheard Bergman and BA discussing hiding the pistol. She said BA later admitted the Explorer was stolen and threatened to kill anyone who reported him.
Apartment renter Shayla Argo told investigators she had not permitted BA or anyone else to enter her residence and believed her door had been locked the night before.
Bergman’s Statements to Police
During a post‑Miranda interview, Bergman told officers he believed BA had legitimately obtained the Explorer, claiming BA said it was “his new vehicle.” Bergman said he had been picked up in Watertown early that morning and denied seeing a gun or participating in any firearm‑related activity. He acknowledged he was on probation for theft of a firearm.
Investigators determined Bergman had been drinking with minors earlier in the day. He denied supplying alcohol, claiming the juveniles’ parents had purchased it.
Initial Charges and Grand Jury Indictment
Bergman was arrested on May 27 and initially charged with:
· First‑degree burglary
· Accessory to a felony
· Possession of a stolen vehicle
· Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
A Codington County grand jury later indicted him on all four counts. Prosecutors also filed a Part II Habitual Offender information, citing a prior felony conviction for grand theft in Brookings County.
Dismissals and Plea
On July 15, 2026, Bergman appeared for arraignment. Prosecutors dismissed the burglary, accessory, and contributing‑to‑delinquency charges. Bergman entered a guilty plea to the stolen‑vehicle charge.
The habitual offender enhancement was dismissed on August 20, 2026.
Sentencing
On August 19, 2026, Judge Dawn Elshere sentenced Bergman via Zoom from the South Dakota State Penitentiary. The court cited aggravating factors, including Bergman’s criminal history, current incarceration, and prior involvement in cases where weapons were present.
Bergman received:
· Six years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary
· Three years suspended, contingent on compliance with conditions
· Concurrent sentencing with Brookings and Grant County cases
o According to court records, the defendant pleaded guilty to a Class 4 felony count of grand theft involving more than $5,000. On Jan. 20, 2026, the court issued a suspended execution of sentence, imposing a seven‑year penitentiary term but suspending the entire sentence.
The defendant was placed on three years of adult supervised probation through Jan. 20, 2029.
· $116.50 in court costs
· $95 digital forensic fee
· Reimbursement of court‑appointed attorney fees
· 49 days credit for time served
The court reserved the right to amend conditions at any time.
