RAPID CITY, S.D. — Three Washington residents accused in the beating of a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against a fourth suspect.
Desiree Sukert, 26, and sibling Chase Sukert, 24, both of Renton, and Jonathan Melendez, 22, of Kent pleaded guilty Tuesday to a drug charge and to being accessories in the Oct. 24, 2015, assault of Trooper Zachary Bader during an Interstate 90 traffic stop east of Rapid City. They each face up to 20 years in prison and $40,000 in fines.
Pennington County prosecutors agreed to drop illegal use of a firearm and other drug charges in a deal that calls for the three suspects to testify against co-defendant Donald Willingham, 34, also of Renton. He faces the most serious charges in the case.
