Confrontation on alleged child porn leads to suicide

HANSON COUNTY, S.D. (KELO) - The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Hanson County Sheriff's Office is looking into an incident that led to one man taking his own life in rural Hanson County earlier this week.

Sheriff Brandon Wingert with Hanson County tells KELOLAND News that 60-year-old Donald Letcher was approached at his home in Epiphany on Tuesday by an online group called 'Predator Poachers'.

On their website, the group describes itself as 'independent journalists and private citizens who travel the country conducting intervention-style sting operations to catch child predators.'

Wingert says the group spoke to Letcher about him allegedly possessing and viewing child pornography. After that conversation, the group contacted law enforcement.

Wingert says a Deputy with his office did arrive and speak to Letcher but had to step away to take a phone call. At that point, Wingert says Letcher barricaded himself back inside his home and then shot himself.

He was flown to a hospital in Sioux Falls where he later died.

The South Dakota DCI is looking into the child pornography allegations aga...