Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to Multiple Life Terms for Child Rape and Trafficking
- Leon Siess has been sentenced to multiple life sentences by a Minnehaha County judge following his conviction for rape and the human trafficking of a child.
- The court's decision follows a trial in which Siess was found guilty of rape, human trafficking of a child under 13, and sexual contact with a child.
- According to a release from the state's attorney office, the abuse of the victim began when they were 10 or 11 years old.
Leon Siess has been sentenced to multiple life sentences by a Minnehaha County judge following his conviction for rape and the human trafficking of a child. The sentencing took place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on April 8, 2026.
The court’s decision follows a trial in which Siess was found guilty of rape, human trafficking of a child under 13, and sexual contact with a child.
Details of the Abuse and Trafficking
According to a release from the state’s attorney office, the abuse of the victim began when they were 10 or 11 years old. The abuse continued for more than a decade, persisting until the victim was 22 years old and attending college.
Evidence presented during the proceedings indicated that Siess trafficked the victim to other men in Sioux Falls. To facilitate these encounters, Siess placed advertisements on Craigslist.
Trial and Conviction
A Minnehaha County jury delivered the guilty verdict in January. The jury reached its decision after seven hours of deliberation.