Joel Koskan, who is running for the third term for the state Senate, was charged Thursday in Mellette County with exposing the child to “sexual grooming behaviors” after Assistant Attorney General Mandy Miller reviewed an investigation conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation of South Dakota. He allegedly groomed and abused the girl for at least six years starting in 2014 when she was 12 years old. The Republican allegedly began grooming the child by kissing her, giving her long hugs and having her sit on his lap, a DCI agent wrote in court documents, adding that the girl believed the behavior was “normal things” to be done. for families to do. .” The girl, who reported Koskan to authorities in May, realized the behavior was inappropriate during a religious summer camp she attended at age 14, where counselors taught her when physical contact with adults can become inappropriate or sexual. SD LAW REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO DISCLOSE PERSONAL INFORMATION EXCLUDED BY COURT OF APPEALS Joel Koskan, a Republican candidate for the South Dakota Legislature, has been charged with child abuse following allegations that he groomed and abused a child’s family member for several years. (Joel Koskan Campaign) She said that when she was growing up, Koskan would “demand” that she put on a nightie without underwear after showering. He also had her spank him after the shower when he wasn’t wearing underwear. When the victim was 17 years old, Koskan penetrated her with his fingers for the first time. She said he later began forcing the intercourse which occurred several times at different family homes across the state. She didn’t realize how inappropriate their interactions were until she started making friends her own age. Koskan would control her social media accounts to limit her interactions with others. He also tracked her via GPS, demanded nightly phone calls and dictated the clothes she wore. Text messages between Koskan and the victim on May 6, the day she reported him to the sheriff’s office, appeared to confirm he was tracking her location. “You promised you’d never do that,” Koskan texted her. “I’m begging you, you don’t want to do this.” SD GOV. NOEM NOT CHARGED FOR USE OF STATE GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT, PROSECUTOR SAYS Koskan allegedly began grooming the child by kissing him, giving him long hugs and making him sit on his lap. (Mellette County Sheriff’s Office) Other text messages reviewed by a DCI agent corroborated the victim’s story, according to court documents. Koskan was taken into custody on Thursday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday. He could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000. The state Senate candidate set his campaign website to private after news of alleged child abuse broke. He also deleted his Twitter account. He has not yet withdrawn his candidacy in the race against Democratic state Rep. Shawn Bordeaux, but the South Dakota Democratic Party has urged him to immediately suspend his campaign. Koskan was taken into custody on Thursday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday. He could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000. (Mellette County Sheriff’s Office) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “These allegations about Joel Koskan are deeply troubling and he should end his campaign immediately,” state Democratic Party Chairman Randy Seiler said in a statement. “While he will still appear on the ballot, the choice for the voters of District 26 could not be clearer. Party politics aside, Joel Koskan should not vote in the Legislature on issues that affect South Dakota’s children — or on any matters.” South Dakota GOP Chairman Dan Lederman also blasted Koskan over the allegations. “The allegation against Joel Koskan is very serious and the South Dakota Republican Party strongly opposes any form of child abuse,” Lederman said. “The South Dakota Republican Party trusts the court system to deal with the allegation.”