Watertown Man Rogelio Ventura Ortley Sentenced to 15 Years in Codington County Rape Case

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A 20-year-old Watertown man has been sentenced to 15 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary after pleading guilty to the first-degree rape of an eight-year-old child.

Rogelio Elvis Ventura Ortley appeared in Codington County Circuit Court for a sentencing hearing on Oct. 21, 2026. According to the judgment of conviction, the court imposed a 15-year penitentiary sentence with two years suspended, leaving Ortley to serve 13 years in prison. The court granted him credit for 26 days previously served in custody.

Plea Agreement and Dismissed Charges

Court records show Ortley entered a guilty plea on June 3, 2026, to one count of First-Degree Rape involving a victim less than 13 years of age, a Class C felony under South Dakota Codified Law 22-22-1(1). Following the plea, the court ordered a presentence investigation, a psychosexual evaluation, and a psychiatric evaluation prior to sentencing.

As part of the case disposition on June 3, prosecutors dismissed three additional felony charges from the Dec. 29, 2025, Codington County Grand Jury indictment:

·         One count of First-Degree Rape involving a victim less than 13 years of age (Class C Felony).

·         Two counts of Sexual Contact with a Child Under 16 (Class 3 Felony).

Sentencing Conditions and Financial Assessments

In addition to prison time, the court ordered Ortley to pay a total financial assessment of $3,030.25, which includes:

·         $2,818.75 in felony restitution payable to the Codington County Auditor.

·         $95.00 for the Digital Forensic Fund / Drug Test and Monitoring Fee.

·         $61.50 for the court automation surcharge.

·         $50.00 in liquidated court costs.

·         $5.00 for victim's compensation.

Under the terms of the sentence, Ortley must also comply with the following conditions:

·         Register and comply with the sex offender registry.

·         Have no contact, direct or indirect, with the victim or the victim's family.

·         Reimburse Codington County for the cost of his court-appointed attorney, with the county holding a lien for that amount.

·         Reimburse the South Dakota Attorney General's Office for the cost of the digital forensic examination and pay for the cost of his psychosexual evaluation.

·         Abide by all rules and regulations set by the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles and make payments on all ordered financial assessments upon release according to a schedule determined by the board.

State prosecutors Alison Trauba and Joseph N. Thronson handled the case for the State of South Dakota. Court-appointed defense attorney Thomas Sannes represented Ortley.

Case Background

The investigation began on Dec. 25, 2025, when Watertown Police Department officers responded to a residence on Third Avenue NE. According to court documents, an eight-year-old child disclosed to her parents that she had been sexually assaulted by Ortley, the fiancé of the victim's older sister, while he was visiting the home for Christmas.

The victim's father reported to police that Ortley went upstairs to check on the child in her bedroom, where the assault occurred. During an interview with Watertown Police Detective Sigurd Sivertson, Ortley initially denied the allegations before admitting to touching the victim and engaging in sexual contact. After his arrest, Ortley was held at the Codington County Detention Center on a $50,000 cash bond until he was sentenced on Oct. 21, 2026.