Former Rapid City anchor Shad Olson pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges during his arraignment in Meade Count court Wednesday.
Olson once anchored for KOTA and KNBN television stations. He is charged with domestic abuse aggravated assault, or in the alternative, domestic abuse simple assault, and an attempt to put another in fear of bodily harm. He also faces a second charge of domestic abuse simple assault, recklessly causes bodily injury.
Police say Olson assaulted his girlfriend in her home earlier this month.
Olson is a conservative podcaster who once worked at KOTA as an anchor until he spoke at a Tea Party rally held in April 2010. He was suspended from his on-air position and announced his voluntary resignation the next month.
Olson then started the The Shad Olson Show, a right-wing website and podcast. In 2018, he worked as a campaign consultant for former state Senator Neal Tapio as he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives.
He faces a maximum sentence of 16 years in prison.
His next court date is set for March 27.