On Thursday, January 13, Skyler White, a Garretson man, was arrested on 20 counts of sexual misconduct involving a minor. (Please note this story contains graphic references to molestation and rape.)
According to court documents, on December 7, 2021, a 15-year-old student approached Garretson School counselor Michelle Pliska and confided that she had been having sex with White, who is 36.
Pliska immediately alerted administrators Chris Long and Teresa Hulscher, who worked with School Resource Officer Jason Aanenson, an officer employed with the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Department.
Documents then go on to outline how the victim had met White in August 2021 after she had posted on Facebook looking for potential clients who could utilize cleaning services. She was employed by White, who paid her $80 to do laundry services on her first visit, and $20-$30 each time thereafter for cleaning services.
However, the court document states the second visit ended in rape after White groped the victim. After the episode and while the victim got dressed, White made reference to having to pick up his children.
The victim continued to go back to the residence to clean, and stated White would force himself on her each time after cleaning was done and she was paid. She stated it was at least 25 times, and he would put a pillow over her face to suffocate her if she struggled or tried to scream.
White also took pornographic photos, which were recovered from cell phones possessed by the perpetrator and later verified by physicians as that of the 15-year-old victim. The victim did not see the photos being taken but did see the flash and was informed by White that he had them.
The counts are as follows: three counts of fourth-degree rape, three counts of sexual contact with a child under 16, nine counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and five counts of possession/manufacturing with intent to distribute child pornography.
White is currently being held in the Minnehaha County Jail on $100,000 cash-only bond and will make his next court appearance at a preliminary hearing on January 27.
