Former Aberdeen State Employee Arrested on Felony Solicitation and Child Pornography Charges

Northeast Radio SD News - Aberdeen, SD - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced the arrest of an Aberdeen man on Friday, Nov. 1, 2025, facing multiple felony charges related to sex crimes and computer misuse.

Mark Charles Rathbun, 66, was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Brown County Jail. The charges filed against him include:

·         Solicitation of Second-Degree Rape (Felony)

·         Possession of Child Pornography (Felony)

·         Unlawful Use of a Computer System (Felony)

Rathbun is a former employee of the State Driver Licensing Office located in Aberdeen.

In a statement, Attorney General Jackley addressed the gravity of the allegations. “These allegations raise serious safety and privacy concerns that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Jackley said. He also noted that the investigation is ongoing, adding, “As our investigation continues, I anticipate identifying other victims and filing additional charges in multiple counties.”

The maximum possible penalties Rathbun faces if convicted are significant, including: 25 years in prison for Solicitation of Second-Degree Rape, 10 years for Possession of Child Pornography, and two years for Unlawful Use of a Computer System.

The defendant’s first court appearance has not yet been scheduled. As guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, Rathbun is presumed innocent of all charges at this time.