South Dakota Man Charged with Kidnapping After Armed Standoff in Lincoln County Cornfield
LINCOLN COUNTY, S.D. — A 46-year-old South Dakota man was arrested and charged with kidnapping after authorities say he tied up a woman at gunpoint, forced her to drive him to a rural area, and triggered a tense armed standoff in Lincoln County earlier this week.
According to KTIV and DNN, the suspect, identified as Nicholas Sletten, allegedly threatened the woman inside her Sioux Falls home on October 28 before leading police on a multi-county search that ended peacefully late Wednesday evening.
Police Say Woman Was Bound and Forced to Drive at Gunpoint
Investigators said Sioux Falls Police received a 911 call around 1 p.m. Tuesday from a woman claiming she had been assaulted by a family member.
The victim told officers that Sletten, who had been staying with her for several weeks, surprised her while she was folding laundry inside a closet.
“She turned around and saw Sletten pointing a handgun at her,” police said. “He told her he was going to tie her up, take her car, and leave the residence.”
The woman said Sletten removed her Apple Watch and bound her wrists and ankles using rope and shoelaces before leaving the room. Moments later, he allegedly returned, cut her free with a knife, and demanded she drive him to a remote location in rural Lincoln County.
Once there, Sletten reportedly got out of the car and walked into a cornfield — still armed.
The woman returned to Sioux Falls, sought help from a friend, and called police.
Search and Standoff in Rural Lincoln County
Law enforcement launched a multi-agency search involving the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Sioux Falls Police Emergency Response Team.
By Wednesday, officers tracked Sletten to a residence south of Worthing, warning nearby residents that he was armed and dangerous and possibly in possession of multiple weapons.
“We believed Sletten was still armed, and there were reports of more weapons inside the residence,” officials said. “Because of that, the Emergency Response Team was deployed to contain the scene.”
Authorities surrounded the rural home and ordered Sletten to surrender. After about an hour-long standoff, police said he walked out around 7:15 p.m. without incident.
He was immediately taken into custody and booked into the Lincoln County Jail.
Facing Multiple Felony Charges
Sletten now faces multiple charges, including:
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated Assault
- Burglary
According to DNN, the kidnapping charge carries a $500,000 cash-only bond. Authorities have not disclosed whether additional charges could be filed related to weapons possession.
Community Alert and Police Response Praised
Throughout the ordeal, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office kept residents informed via social media, urging people in the Worthing area to stay indoors and report suspicious activity.
No injuries were reported during the incident, and police say the woman is safe and cooperating with investigators.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office thanked local residents for their patience and credited the coordinated response between law enforcement agencies for the peaceful resolution.
For continuing updates on this case and other regional crime coverage, visit NapervilleLocal.com.
Naperville is a community with stories that deserve to be told — both the serious ones about safety and justice, and the lighter ones that capture our culture and daily life. I focus on covering crime reports and court updates while also highlighting the traditions, events, and social trends that shape who we are. Through my reporting, I want to give readers a fuller picture of Naperville — the challenges we face and the character that keeps our city strong.