March 2026: A 44-year old Brookings County man is sentenced to 10 years with three years suspended for 4th Degree Rape and Solicitation of a Minor. Justin Grant Paulson of Sinai pled guilty last week (March 4, 2026) and was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Abigail Howard. On May 17, 2024, Brookings police stopped a vehicle Paulson was driving for multiple violations. During the traffic stop, they discovered Paulson had picked up two juvenile females and given them a ride from Sioux Falls to Brookings. Police also learned one of the juveniles — a fourteen-year old — had earlier had sex with Paulson in exchange for money. Paulson was arrested on charges of 4th Degree Rape, Sexual Contact of a Person Under 16, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. In a written statement, Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson said, “Mr. Paulson used his social media online to solicit the young victim to engage in a sexual encounter. This case serves as an example that parents must monitor their children’s social media accounts because individuals like Mr. Paulson are looking to exploit their vulnerability. The several years in prison is the appropriate level of accountability and our community is safer with Mr. Paulson behind bars.”   May 2024: A traffic stop in Brookings leads to the arrest of the driver on rape and other charges. Shortly after 1:00 o’clock Friday afternoon (May 17, 2024), 9-1-1 received a call about a vehicle driving erratically on Interstate 29. Police stopped the vehicle at a city intersection. Officers identified the driver as 44-year-old Justin G. Paulson of Sinai. There were also two female juveniles in the vehicle, ages 17 and 14. Police say Paulson had picked up the two in Sioux Falls and was returning to Brookings. The investigation also revealed that Paulson knew the two juveniles and had allegedly engaged in sex with the 14-year-old for money. He also allegedly supplied alcohol to the two. Paulson was arrested for felony rape, sexual contact with a child under sixteen, prostitution and contributing to the abuse, neglect, or delinquency of a minor. Paulson was taken to the Brookings County Jail with bond set at $25,000 cash. The juveniles were released to their parents. ...read more read less