Accused rapist’s case dismissed due to legal technicality

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - The man who allegedly raped a toddler in 2017 and 2018 recently had his case dismissed due to legal issues.

Kyle Soto, 37, was accused of raping a toddler and pleaded not guilty to the charge in 2023.

Soto was in federal prison in Florida when the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s office requested he be brought back to the state to face the charges.

Under federal law, Soto was transferred under the interstate agreement law, which means that the state’s attorney’s office had 120 days to try him after his arrival.

After 120 days passed without Soto being tried and Seventh Circuit Judge Jane Wipf Pfeifle dismissed the charges.

The state’s attorney’s office argued against the dismissal, saying that many of the delays to get to trial were caused by the defense.

The ruling has been appealed and the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office is waiting for a response from the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Soto is currently back in federal custody.