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Judge Suspends 30-year Prison Sentence For Sioux Falls Man

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A judge has suspended a prison sentence for a Sioux Falls man who pleaded guilty to his role in a botched drug robbery that left one man dead.

Judge Brad Zell sentenced Douglas Scholten to 30 years on Friday but suspended the entire sentence. He previously pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the 2013 shooting death of 19-year-old Jordan LeBeau.

Prosecutors say Scholten loaded the gun two men used to kill LeBeau, burned bloody clothes and destroyed a cellphone that could have help law enforcement with their investigation.

Zell said Scholten can have no criminal violations for 10 years and must fund a scholarship in the name of LeBeau worth at least $10,000. He must also pay $69,000 in restitution and perform 500 hours of community service annually.