(SCR and KIWA) — One of the two men charged in the December burglary and vandalism of the Lyon County Courthouse has been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, while the second defendant is scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing later this month.
Lyon County Attorney Nolan McGowan announced that 40-year-old Brandon Lyle High Pipe was sentenced September 9 in Lyon County District Court after pleading guilty to three felony charges under a plea agreement.
The case stems from a December 16, 2025, break-in at the courthouse in Rock Rapids. According to the county attorney’s office, High Pipe and another individual forcibly entered the building and caused extensive damage during a nearly 12-hour spree of property destruction and defacement.
Three Consecutive Prison Sentences
High Pipe pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mischief, a Class C felony; conspiracy to commit a nonforcible felony, a Class D felony; and third-degree burglary, a Class D felony.
He received an indeterminate prison sentence of up to 10 years for criminal mischief and up to five years for each of the other two offenses. The sentences will run consecutively, meaning one after another, for a combined maximum of 20 years.
High Pipe was also ordered to pay $36,273.15 in restitution to Lyon County for replacement, restoration, and repairs associated with the damage. His fines were suspended so his financial payments could be directed toward restitution.
McGowan addressed the court during sentencing on behalf of Lyon County. According to the release, he described how the damage affected county business and the employees who work there.
Clay County Attorney Travis Johnson served as special prosecutor, handling the case on Lyon County’s behalf.
Courthouse Damage Led to Multistate Search
Earlier court documents alleged the break-in involved significant damage in several courthouse offices, along with a fire set to a flag and flagpole.
High Pipe, previously identified as a Rapid City, South Dakota, resident, and the second defendant, Luciano Sanchez of Denver, Colorado, were apprehended December 20, 2025, in Spearfish, South Dakota.
The county attorney’s office said the arrests followed an extensive manhunt spanning multiple states and Indian reservations.
The investigation was led by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol, with assistance from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lyon County Attorney’s Office, and county staff.
Both defendants initially faced six charges stemming from the courthouse incident: first-degree criminal mischief, two counts of conspiracy to commit a nonforcible felony, third-degree burglary, reckless use of fire, explosives, or destructive devices, and willful disturbance.
High Pipe’s sentencing announcement identifies the three offenses to which he pleaded guilty under the agreement.
Sanchez Plea Hearing Scheduled September 23
Sanchez is scheduled to appear by Zoom for a change-of-plea hearing September 23. The hearing covers both his courthouse case and a separate felony case involving an alleged assault in jail.
In that second case, Sanchez was charged with assault by an inmate with bodily fluids or secretions, a Class D felony. An earlier complaint alleged he threw a cup of urine at a corrections officer.
Sanchez previously pleaded not guilty in the courthouse case. The scheduled hearing provides for a change of plea, but details of any proposed plea agreement have not been announced in the information provided.
The charges against Sanchez remain allegations unless and until proven in court.
