Sentencing in Watertown: 50 Years for Ted Hurkes Reflects Community’s Call for Justice

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - A sentencing hearing held Thursday morning in Codington County highlighted the profound impact of local criminal activity on the community’s sense of safety, as Ted “TJ” Hurkes was sentenced to 50 years in the state penitentiary.

Hurkes, who appeared personally following a transfer from federal custody, previously pleaded guilty in October 2024 to a charge of first-degree rape of a victim less than age 13. The charge stemmed from incidents occurring between October and November of 2022.

State’s Attorney Bakken requested a life sentence during the proceedings, arguing that Hurkes’ actions reached beyond the immediate harm to the victim. Bakken noted that the case “shattered the community consciousness,” altering the reality for local parents who had previously felt safe sending their children to sleepovers.

Judge Means presided over the hearing and agreed with the state’s assessment that the defendant’s actions had a profound negative impact on the entire community.

Defense attorney Terry Nesvold did not request a specific term of years but asked the court to consider rehabilitative perspectives. The defense also noted that Hurkes claimed to have been a victim of abuse as a minor.

Ultimately, Judge Means imposed a 50-year sentence to run concurrently with Hurkes’ current federal sentence. Hurkes is already serving 360 months in federal prison for the manufacturing of child sexual abuse material.

The courtroom was filled to capacity, with standing room only, and attendees included members of the Watertown Police Department, the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), law enforcement students from Lake Area Technical College, and a victim assistant from Homeland Security. The victim and her family were also present, alongside members of the defendant’s family.

Bakken emphasized the importance of pursuing state charges and told Northeast Radio SD News that, despite Hurkes' existing federal time. “He didn’t just manufacture child [pornography]. He stole somebody’s innocence,” Bakken stated, noting the necessity of legal closure for the victim involved in the local case.

The Watertown Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the DCI. Hurkes is required to register as a sex offender if he is ever released. He is scheduled to be returned to the federal prison in Greenville, Illinois, on Friday.