Ex-Yankton chief deputy kept his badge after a leak, now faces evidence-forgery charges
In September 2022 South Dakota's Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission found by clear and convincing evidence that Michael Rothschadl, then Yankton County chief deputy sheriff, took a confidential 2012 state polygraph report without authority and gave it to a Facebook page administrator to discredit his opponent in the May 2022 sheriff's race. Rothschadl had resigned; the commission voted 11-0 to suspend his certification for only 90 days. He became a deputy in Carroll County, Georgia, in October 2023. On Oct. 26, 2026, a Yankton County grand jury indicted him on two felonies, offering forged or fraudulent evidence and falsification of evidence, for conduct alleged around April 1, 2021, while he served in Yankton County. The indictment does not say what evidence or case was involved. Carroll County said he resigned to turn himself in. The charges are allegations.
The indictment alleges both offenses occurred on or about April 1, 2021.
Any charges are allegations until the cases have been decided in a court of law.
Motion by Commission Member Fulton to find by clear and convincing evidence on conduct unbecoming a law enforcement, to suspend certification for 90 days
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