Magistrate judge no longer employed by South Dakota courts

A South Dakota magistrate judge is no longer employed with the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, officials have confirmed.

Wade Warntjes' appointment as a magistrate judge for the Second Judicial Circuit, which includes Minnehaha and Lincoln counties, was approved on May 24, 2021.

Karl Thoennes, the administrator for the Second Judicial Circuit, said Warntjes' last day of employment was on Oct. 22, but that "The Unified Judicial System has no other comment related to Judge Warntjes’ separation from employment."