A Republican running for state senate in South Dakota was charged with child abuse for allegedly grooming and molesting a young family member, Mitchell Republic reports.
Joel Koskan, 44, was charged on Thursday with one count of exposing a minor to a foreseeable harm.
According to a probable cause complaint obtained by the outlet, the woman, now 19, said Koskan would give her “very long hugs, kiss her and have her sit on his lap,” since she was 12. She thought at the time that his behavior was “normal things” that families were supposed to do.
She found out Koskan was being inappropriate while attending a summer camp when she was 14 and camp counselors spoke about inappropriate or sexual physical contact.
She told camp counselors at the time that she believed Koskan “wanted to be with her intimately.” Camp staff contacted the Department of Social Services, and a social worker was sent to investigate. However, no case was ever made because the girl chose not to cooperate.
As she got older, the woman said Koskan started requiring her to straddle him after a shower while wearing nightgown with no underwear. He penetrated her with his fingers for the first time when she was 17 and forced her to have sexual intercourse with him on multiple occasions in family residences across the state.
Koskan also controlled her social media, installed a camera in her room and monitor her whereabouts with GPS tracking. This was how he found out she was speaking with authorities.
On the first day she went to the sheriff’s office Koskan allegedly texted her: “You promised you’d never do this. I’m begging you, you don’t want to do this.”
Koskan was taken into custody on Thursday. A hearing was set for Nov. 7. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and pay fines of up to $20,000.
Following the news, the South Dakota Democratic Party called on Koskan to withdraw from the race.
“These allegations concerning Joel Koskan are deeply disturbing, and he should immediately end his campaign,” Democratic party chairman Randy Seiler said in a statement. “While he will still appear on the ballot, the choice for the voters of District 26 couldn’t be clearer. Partisan politics aside, Joel Koskan should not be voting in the legislature on issues that affect South Dakota kids — or any issues at all.”
South Dakota GOP Chairman Dan Lederman denounced the abuse but stop short of calling on Koskan to drop out of the race.
“The allegation against Joel Koskan is very serious, and the South Dakota Republican Party unequivocally opposes child abuse in all forms,” Lederman said. “The South Dakota Republican Party trusts the justice system to work through the allegation.”