Shad Olson, a former Neal Tapio campaign advisor, experienced South Dakota newsman and far-right podcaster, is currently in custody at a Meade County jail after he allegedy assaulted his girlfriend in a drunken bout, according to court records obtained by the Argus Leader.
Olson, 51, was arrested last Sunday after an alleged altercation two days prior in Rapid City, where he “slammed” his girlfriend down on the ground multiple times and chased her around the house, a probable cause affidavit states.
Olson previously served as campaign counsel to Tapio, a Republican candidate who lost to U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and then-Secretary of State Shantel Krebs in a bid to win the incumbent congressman’s district during the state’s 2018 House of Representative’s election.
Tapio himself was formerly a campaign manager for Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign in South Dakota.
Olson is charged with aggravated domestic assault, a class three felony. This carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in state prison and a $30,000 fine.