Inmate With Hub City Ties Escapes, Turns Himself In

By Russ Keen, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

Mar. 6–An inmate with Aberdeen ties walked away Sunday from the minimum security unit at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, but turned himself in later Sunday evening.

Valentino Laponte, 40, escaped at approximately 1 p.m. Sunday, said Lt. John Benting of the penitentiary. At about 9 p.m. Sunday, Benting reported that Laponte had returned to the unit on his own accord.

Laponte’s last known address is Aberdeen. Laponte is serving an eight-year sentence for distribution of a controlled substance.

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Copyright (c) 2006, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

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