A 44-year-old from Renner was arrested for two counts of first-degree rape and one count of sexual contact with a child under the age of 16.
Interviews with two victims led the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s office to make the arrest of Edgar Messenger, according to Capt. Josh Phillips.
“There could be additional charges,” Phillips said, adding authorities aren’t sure if there are more victims or not. “If there are, go to your local authorities and if you have any information you want to provide.”
Messenger was arrested Tuesday afternoon in the Brandon area and his bond is set at $50,000. The two victims of Messenger were related. The crime happened to one of the children 13 years ago, Phillips said.
Messenger was a family friend at the time of contact with the children.
“These are tough cases to work and tough for our victims,” Phillips said.
Phillips called the incidents a case of grooming.
