Roberts County sheriff convicted of aggravated assault

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) – A jury has convicted the Roberts County sheriff of felony aggravated assault.

Twenty-eight-year-old Korey Ware, of Sisseton, was accused of assaulting a 30-year-old man at an Aberdeen bar on Oct. 6, 2018. He was a deputy sheriff at the time and also sheriff-elect, since he had won a June primary race and was unopposed in the November general election.

The charge didn’t prevent him from being sworn in as sheriff in January, though his duties were restricted. The felony conviction could affect his ability to serve as sheriff.

Ware was convicted Thursday and will be sentenced later.

Ware’s attorney argued the injury fell short of being serious, since the man didn’t immediately seek medical attention that night. But the prosecutor argued the man had to have his jaw wired shut.

AP-WF-03-01-19 0014GMT