Woman Sentenced for Years-Old Election Law Violation

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A Harrold woman who was prosecuted this year for an election law violation more than a decade ago won't see prison time.

Attorney General Marty Jackley says 54-year-old Janice Howe was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison with all time suspended. She'll spend four years on probation.

Court documents allege Howe in 1999 forged signatures on petitions for a constitutional amendment and lied about personally witnessing people sign the petitions. She was arrested in July on an outstanding warrant issued after she was charged in 2002. She pleaded guilty in August to perjury.

Family members of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe woman have questioned whether she was prosecuted now because she's spoken out against South Dakota's handling of Native American children in foster care. Jackley's office has rejected that.

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