Former South Dakota Mayor Charged with Triple Murder in Vigilante Justice Case
Jun 03, 11:00 PM
Former Centerville mayor Jay Edward Ostrem, 64, is facing three counts of first-degree murder after allegedly killing three men on Monday night. The incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. in Centerville, approximately 40 miles south of Sioux Falls. The victims were identified as Paul Frankus, 26, Zachary Frankus, 21, and Timothy Richmond, 35.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Zachary Frankus made a frantic 911 call to report a shooting on the 1000 block of Main Street. During the call, Zachary mentioned he had been shot and subsequently fell silent.
A South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Conservation officer was the first to arrive at the scene. While waiting for backup, the officer observed Ostrem exiting the home's garage. Despite initial commands to stop, Ostrem only complied after the officer approached him a second time. Ostrem informed the officer he had a gun in his pocket. Authorities discovered an AR-style rifle on the ground beside Ostrem, a .380 pistol in his pants pocket, and several shotgun and rifle shell casings on him. Ostrem had blood on his hand and smelled of alcohol.
Inside the home, officers found the three men dead from gunshot wounds.
Ostrem’s wife told investigators that on May 23, Paul Frankus had allegedly sexually assaulted her while they were drinking at her home. She reported the incident to Ostrem on Monday evening, allegedly prompting him to leave their home in a rage. She claimed she did not know Ostrem's intentions or whether he was armed.
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office issued a press release confirming Ostrem’s arrest and assuring the public that there was no further threat. Ostrem is being held without bond at the Minnehaha County Jail.
Ostrem has a controversial history in Centerville. He previously served as the town’s mayor and was a Turner County sheriff’s deputy. During his tenure as mayor, he was sued for sexual harassment by the city's police chief, a case that was settled two years later.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Zachary Frankus made a frantic 911 call to report a shooting on the 1000 block of Main Street. During the call, Zachary mentioned he had been shot and subsequently fell silent.
A South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Conservation officer was the first to arrive at the scene. While waiting for backup, the officer observed Ostrem exiting the home's garage. Despite initial commands to stop, Ostrem only complied after the officer approached him a second time. Ostrem informed the officer he had a gun in his pocket. Authorities discovered an AR-style rifle on the ground beside Ostrem, a .380 pistol in his pants pocket, and several shotgun and rifle shell casings on him. Ostrem had blood on his hand and smelled of alcohol.
Inside the home, officers found the three men dead from gunshot wounds.
Ostrem’s wife told investigators that on May 23, Paul Frankus had allegedly sexually assaulted her while they were drinking at her home. She reported the incident to Ostrem on Monday evening, allegedly prompting him to leave their home in a rage. She claimed she did not know Ostrem's intentions or whether he was armed.
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office issued a press release confirming Ostrem’s arrest and assuring the public that there was no further threat. Ostrem is being held without bond at the Minnehaha County Jail.
Ostrem has a controversial history in Centerville. He previously served as the town’s mayor and was a Turner County sheriff’s deputy. During his tenure as mayor, he was sued for sexual harassment by the city's police chief, a case that was settled two years later.