On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Sturgis Police Department received a report of a juvenile female who had been held against her will and had escaped from a residence in Sturgis. Officers located the juvenile and transported her to the Meade County Law Enforcement Center.

During interviews, it was learned that the 15-year-old female had been sexually assaulted and forced to consume illegal drugs over a period of time. Through the course of the investigation, officers were able to identify a suspect and the residence where the crimes occurred, said Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater.

A Patrol Sergeant conducting surveillance on the residence observed the suspect leaving in a vehicle with three other occupants. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to stop, and a pursuit was initiated, the police chief said.

The pursuit continued in and around the city of Sturgis at high speeds with reckless driving. The chase then extended through Deadwood, Lead, and into Spearfish Canyon. Multiple attempts were made to deploy tire deflation devices (“spike strips”), but they were unsuccessful. The vehicle ultimately came to a stop in Spearfish Canyon just before entering the Spearfish city limits, VanDewater said.

During the pursuit, multiple items of drug paraphernalia and controlled substances were thrown from the vehicle. All passengers were taken into custody and face numerous charges related to the pursuit, he said.

The driver, identified as Michael Wilson of Sturgis, was arrested for multiple felony offenses, including Rape, Aggravated Kidnapping, and various drug and pursuit-related charges, VanDewater said.

Assisting agencies included the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Deadwood Police Department, Lead Police Department, Spearfish Police Department, and a Bureau of Land Management Officer.

This case remains under investigation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.