South Dakota: Man Sentenced for Violating Probation

In Huron, S.D., yesterday, Nikko Briteramos, who had been given a mostly suspended sentence after pleading guilty to exposing his girlfriend to HIV, was sent to prison for four years for violating the terms of that sentence. On Aug. 29, Circuit Judge Tim Dallas Tucker gave Briteramos, 19, a suspended five-year prison term and ordered him to serve 120 days in jail, perform 200 hours of community service, and remain a student at Si Tanka-Huron University, with the provision that he be allowed to leave jail to attend classes. Briteramos was furloughed on Aug. 29 to register but encountered delays in the process. Tucker later ruled that his 5.5-hour absence from jail that day was an escape. Briteramos' attorney said the young man was intent on registering for college and "kind of panicked" when he was unable to do so. After sentencing, Vice President of Operations Brad Smith said the college had not tried to make registration difficult for Briteramos but had to determine how he would pay for college, since he had lost his basketball scholarship. Briteramos could be eligible for parole in two years or less. The woman with whom he had sex has tested negative for HIV.

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