Rock Rapids, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Two men accused of causing thousands of dollars in damage during a break-in at the Lyon County Courthouse late last year have now both entered not guilty pleas.
Authorities say 39-year-old Brandon High Pipe of Rapid City, South Dakota, and 18-year-old Luciano Sanchez of Denver, Colorado, are facing six charges each in connection with the incident. Those include first-degree criminal mischief, two counts of conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, third-degree burglary, reckless use of fire, explosives, or destructive devices, and willful disturbance.
The charges stem from a burglary on December 16, 2025 at the Lyon County Courthouse in Rock Rapids.
According to court documents, investigators estimate more than $10,000 in damage was done to the building. Authorities allege the two men set a flag and flagpole on fire, forced entry into the courthouse, and caused significant damage in multiple offices.
In the days following the break-in, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that any personal information compromised was minimal and that the public would be notified if further concerns emerged.
South Dakota law enforcement later located Sanchez and High Pipe in Spearfish, South Dakota, after a vehicle connected to the case was reported stolen and linked to their movements. Both were taken into custody shortly after 1 a.m. on December 20 and later extradited to Iowa.
While in jail, Sanchez was charged with an additional felony. Authorities say he allegedly threw a cup of urine at a corrections officer, leading to a charge of assault by an inmate with bodily fluids.
Sanchez pleaded not guilty to the courthouse-related charges on Monday, January 26, and entered a separate not guilty plea to the jail assault charge on Wednesday, January 28. High Pipe also pleaded not guilty to all charges on January 26.
Sanchez is scheduled to return to court for a hearing on February 9, while High Pipe has a pretrial conference set for April 14.
KIWA Staff Photo
