Joseph Hoek Murder Trial Moved to Pennington County; Scheduled for September 2026

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The Circuit Court has ordered a change of venue for the murder trial of Joseph Hoek, who is charged in connection with the 2024 death of Moody County Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok. The trial will now be held in Pennington County, rather than Moody County.

The ruling follows a defense motion filed at a hearing last week in Flandreau.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley confirmed the court order, emphasizing the need to consider all parties involved. "The criminal justice system needs to take into account not just the defendant’s Constitutional rights, but also those of the victims and their families,” Jackley stated.

The Attorney General noted his readiness to prosecute the case. “I am prepared to try this case before a Pennington County jury in September of 2026, or at the earliest date the system will allow.”

The five-week trial is currently scheduled to begin on September 21, 2026.

Hoek is charged with First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Eluding in the February 2024 incident.