A Republican candidate for the South Dakota Legislature was charged with felony child abuse following accusations he groomed, molested, and raped a child family member since she was 12 years old.

Joel Koskan, 44, running for state South Dakota Senate for the third time, was charged Thursday in Mellette County with exposing the child to "sexual grooming behaviors," according to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

Joel Koskan
South Dakota Senate candidate Joel Koskan was charged Thursday JoelKoskan.com

Koskan, a Republican, is running against Democratic Representative Shawn Bordeaux for senate seat district 26. Senator Troy Heinert currently holds the senate seat.

According to court documents filed in Mellette County, South Dakota, Koskan is charged with felony child abuse for acts against a child family member between October 5, 2014, and October 5, 2020. He allegedly exposed the now 20-year-old victim to "sexual grooming behaviors." The child abuse charge is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and $20,000 in fines.

The grooming behaviors allegedly included kissing, long hugs, and having her sit on his lap. The documents also say the girl believed Koskan's behavior was expected and what "families were supposed to do."

Koskan allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim several times in different residences throughout the state during the six years. He also tracked the victim's location using GPS tracking through her phone and vehicle, said the Mitchell Daily Republic.

The South Dakota Democratic Party is asking Koskan to end his campaign. Koskan has yet to withdraw his candidacy.

South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Randy Seiler said in a statement to the Argus Leader, "These allegations concerning Joel Koskan are deeply disturbing, and he should immediately end his campaign." Seiler continued, "Partisan politics aside, Joel Koskan should not be voting in the legislature on issues that affect South Dakota kids — or any issues at all."

Koskan was taken into custody Thursday and has an initial hearing scheduled for Nov. 7.