MITCHELL — A Mitchell man charged with 44 felony counts tied to the alleged sexual abuse of children was sentenced Friday morning, Sept. 25, to 85 years in prison after pleading no contest to two counts of first-degree rape.
Eric Opperman, 49, was sentenced on the two Class C felony counts involving children under the age of 13. The sentences will run concurrently, and Opperman was given credit for 564 days already served. He was also fined $2,000 on each count.
ADVERTISEMENT
One victim, identified in court as A.D., opened the hearing by reading a victim impact statement.
Judge Chris Giles kept his comments to a minimum before imposing the sentence but began by saying, “This case is horrendous and atrocious.”
As part of his sentence, Opperman may have no contact with any of the victims for 10 years. After that period, he may not have unsolicited contact with them.
Opperman entered a no-contest plea to the two counts on May 14 in Davison County Circuit Court and was found guilty following the change of plea. Under a written plea agreement, he faced a maximum sentence of 85 years in prison.
The case began in March 2025, when Opperman was initially charged with 12 offenses involving o...