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school, said he is determined to fight. • "Bring 'em on. I'm a United States Marine. I'm not afraid of anyone. I'm not afraid of them," he said. "When I'm done with them, they will know that they've been in a fight. I may not win, but I'm going to hurt them." •
AG: Sioux Falls man faces robo-call charges DIRK LAMMERS,Associated Press
• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Prosecutors charged a Sioux Falls Republican political activist Tuesday with orchestrating a robo-call campaign during election season that criticized GOP legislative leaders but that lacked the necessary identifying disclaimers, the state attorney general said. • Daniel Willard, 31, is charged with four counts of violating the state's election law governing the production of campaign ads and communications in the run-up to an election. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of a year behind bars and a $2,000 fine. He's scheduled to make an initial court appearance Dec. 20 in Madison. • Attorney General Marty Jackley's office alleges that Willard made calls identifying Sen. Russell Olson, R-Wentworth, and Reps. David Lust and Brian Gosch, both Rapid City Republicans, within 60 days of the election without including disclaimers identifying the person or organization paying for the communications. • Willard referred questions to attorney R. Shawn Tornow, who said Willard is comfortable that he's not guilty of the charges and is looking forward to vigorously defending himself. • "They have significant problems or holes in their case," Tornow said. "When everything is borne out, we're comfortable that Mr. Willard will be exonerated." • Willard is a precinct committeeman for the Minnehaha County Republican Party who served as a delegate for presidential candidate Ron Paul to the state GOP's convention. • Calls made to Olson's cellphone formed the basis of the allegations. • According to an affidavit filed by Bryan Gortmaker, director of the South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation, Olson received calls to his cell phone on Sept. 12 and Sept. 17. • "Did you know that State Sen. Russell Olson said you were a terrorist and that you do not have the right to free speech when asked why he voted for SB188," the caller said in the Sept. 17 call. "SB188 is a law gutting South Dakota National Guard members' educational benefits during a time when these brave men and women (Continued on page 29)
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