This photos released by the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Department shows Lance Long and Crystal Lynn Long. The South Dakota couple is accused of giving four children illegal drugs and of zapping them with a cattle prod to get them to comply with orders. Investigators have recommended charging Lance Long, 36, and Crystallynn Long, 40, of Sioux Falls, with aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, abuse or cruelty to a minor and numerous other counts. (Minnehaha County Sheriff's Department/The Argus Leader via AP)
June 23, 2020 - 5:03 PM
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A South Dakota couple have pleaded not guilty to charges that they gave four children illegal drugs and zapped them with a cattle prod to get them to comply with orders.
Lance Long, 36, and Crystallynn Long, 40, of Sioux Falls, made their initial court appearances Monday. The Longs pleaded not guilty to several counts, including aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, distribution of marijuana to a minor, distributing a controlled substance to a minor and abuse or cruelty to a minor, the Argus Leader reported.
Authorities with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office said the alleged abuse had been going on for several years and involved boys ages 17, 13 and 11, as well as a 15-year-old girl. The children are related and some are half-siblings.
Authorities received a child abuse complaint May 13 from someone connected to the couple, Minnehaha County sheriff’s Capt. Josh Phillips said. The children were interviewed and the Longs were arrested after fleeing to Oklahoma.
The children are in the custody of the Department of Social Services.
News from © The Associated Press, 2020