Former TV reporter pleads guilty to prank call involving Gov. Noem’s phone number

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A broadcast reporter has pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge filed for making a prank phone call using South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s personal cell phone number.

Reporter Austin Goss pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor that stemmed from a prerecorded prank call he made Jan. 22 to the former chair of the South Dakota Republican Party. The call came from a website called PrankDial, which made it appear that it was coming from Noem’s cell phone.

Goss was fired from his job as the Capitol bureau reporter for Dakota News Now after the news organization learned of the matter.

He initially was charged with a misdemeanor count of making threatening, harassing or misleading contacts, which carried a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment and $2,000 in fines.

Goss’ lawyer, Jason Glodt, says the call was a “practical joke” between Goss and a friend.

May 10, 2023