Guilty plea Thomas man pleads in rape case

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  • Guilty plea Thomas man pleads in rape case
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A Thomas man pleaded guilty during a formal arraignment Monday.

Joey Dale Pearson, 29, faced charges in Custer County District Court with three separate counts of first-degree rape, two separate counts of rape by instrumentation, a solo count of forcible sodomy, two separate counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16, and a solo count of assault and battery.

If convicted, Pearson faces from 5 years to life in prison for each count of first-degree rape, 5 years to life in prison without parole for each count of rape by instrumentation, up to 20 years for the count of forcible sodomy, 3-20 years for each count of lewd or indecent acts to child under 16, and up to 90 days and/or a fine of $1,000 for the count of assault and battery.

Pearson is set back in court for a presentencing hearing March 1.

Pearson also faces charges in Blaine County District Court, where he is charged with a solo count of first-degree rape, a solo count of second-degree rape, a solo count of rape instrumentation, two counts of forcible sodomy, and a solo count of lewd molestation.

Blaine County court records indicate the charges stem from several alleged incidents in Canton in the summer of 2019 involving the same victim.

The Blaine County District Attorney said the charges against Pearson are pending due to Pearson being in custody at Custer County. A warrant has been issued for Pearson in Blaine County, but a hearing will not be scheduled until after sentencing