Former Deadwood City Commissioner Blake Joseph has pleaded guilty to several misdemeanor charges as part of a plea agreement reached in Lawrence County.
During a July 1 court hearing, Joseph entered guilty pleas to charges including speeding, harassing communication by phone, tampering with a vehicle, and multiple violations of no-contact and protection orders. Several other related charges were dismissed as part of the agreement.
The charges stem from incidents that occurred while Joseph was serving as a city commissioner, including allegations that he sent harassing messages in violation of court orders and contacted individuals he had been ordered not to contact.
Joseph received suspended jail sentences on the charges, meaning he will avoid serving jail time if he complies with court conditions, including remaining law-abiding and paying court costs.
The plea deal does not resolve several other criminal cases involving Joseph.
He is scheduled to appear in Butte County court on July 22 on a pending domestic violence case, as well as felony burglary and identity theft charges.
In Lawrence County, Joseph also continues to face additional charges, including identity theft, grand theft, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, petty theft, and obstructing law enforcement.
Those cases remain pending in the court system.
