Rapid City, SD – Dante Baker, 18, was sentenced today to two 15-year terms in the South Dakota State Penitentiary for two serious offenses: stealing a vehicle with a child inside and leading police on a high-speed chase, and, in a separate offense, assaulting another inmate while in custody. The sentences will run concurrently.
Baker was 17 years old on July 6, 2024, when he stole a car from a DoorDash delivery driver who had briefly stepped away to deliver food, leaving her 6-year-old child in the back seat. Intoxicated at the time, Baker reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour before crashing the vehicle. Fortunately, the child was not physically harmed. Baker did not know the family and took the vehicle at random.
Senior Deputy State’s Attorney Jason Thomas, who prosecuted both cases, emphasized the threat Baker posed to public safety. “The danger to that child’s life and to the public was extraordinary,” Thomas said. “This wasn’t a momentary lapse, it was a chain of reckless, deliberate decisions by someone who knew better.”
The second charge, a violent assault on another inmate, occurred on September 24, 2024, at the Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center.
Seventh Circuit Judge Robert Gusinsky acknowledged Baker’s difficult upbringing but agreed with the State’s recommendation, saying the sentence was necessary to protect the public.
Baker pled guilty to one count of Aggravated Child Abuse, a Class 3 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000. Additionally, he pled guilty to Aggravated Assault, also a Class 3 felony.
Both cases were prosecuted by Senior Deputy State’s Attorney Jason Thomas on behalf of the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Under the direction of State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel, the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecutes approximately 8,000 misdemeanor and felony cases annually for the county’s 114,000 residents. Additionally, our Civil Division handles diverse legal matters, including general litigation, appeals, mental health commitments, abuse and neglect cases, drug and alcohol commitments, and more. With a staff of 70+, the office is dedicated to crime prevention, public education, and ensuring the safety of Pennington County residents.
