PIERRE, S.D. – On July 30th, Governor Kristi Noem announced the appointment of Mandi Mowery, Jeff Clapper, and the Honorable Eric Johnson to the 2^nd Judicial Circuit Court.

“The Judicial branch is fundamental in establishing law, order, and justice in American society,” said Governor Noem. “Upholding the Constitution is of utmost importance for every branch of government, and this duty carries extra weight with the judiciary.  I am confident that Mandi Mowery, Jeff Clapper, and Eric Johnson will lead with excellence as 2^nd Judicial Circuit Court judges.”

Mandi Mowery grew up on her family ranch and graduated Valedictorian of her class from New Underwood High School. She obtained magna *** laude honors from the University of South Dakota and received her Juris Doctorate from Baylor Law School. In 2006, Mowery returned home to South Dakota where she joined the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Office. She began handling misdemeanor cases and eventually joined the felony prosecution division, focusing on narcotics prosecution. Mowery has been a prosecutor in the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Office for 17 years and currently serves as a Team Lead of one of the felony divisions.

“I am very grateful to Governor Noem for appointing me to the position of Circuit Court Judge and allowing me to serve my State and Community,” said Mandi Mowery. “I endeavor to serve the State of South Dakota and its people with fairness and justice; I will follow the laws as set forth by the people of South Dakota to accomplish those goals.”

In her free time, Mandi enjoys running, reading, and helping raise her two beautiful nieces. A photo of Mowery can be found here.

Jeff Clapper graduated from Creighton University in 1989 and the USD School of Law in 1993. He began his legal career in Sioux Falls at the law firm of Moore, Rasmussen, Kading & Kunstle where he engaged in criminal defense and civil litigation; he continued his involvement in civil litigation at the Boyce, Murphy, McDowell & Greenfield law firm. In 2002, Clapper became an Assistant United States Attorney, where he handled a wide range of cases including bank robberies, financial fraud, violent crime, and sexual assault in Indian Country. For the past 15 years, Clapper’s efforts have focused on prosecuting online child sex predators and sex traffickers. In 2024, he was designated as Senior Litigation Counsel for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota. 

“I am extremely grateful to Governor Noem for placing her trust in me to serve the citizens of South Dakota as a judge,” Jeff Clapper remarked. “It is a serious responsibility that I will not take lightly.”

Jeff Clapper has been married to his wife, Cathi, for over 30 years. They have two adult children: Bevin and Vince. A photo of Clapper can be found here.

The Honorable Eric Johnson currently serves as the 2^nd Circuit Court Magistrate Judge and the 2^nd Circuit Veterans Treatment Court Judge. A native of Vermillion, South Dakota, Johnson attended Augustana College and graduated summa *** laude in 1996. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska College of Law, receiving high distinction. He began his legal career clerking for the Honorable Everett O. Inbody of the Nebraska Court of Appeals. Prior to accepting his current Magistrate Judge appointment, Johnson worked at the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office.

"I am honored and humbled by my appointment to the circuit court bench and am excited to continue to serve the citizens of the Second Judicial Circuit in this new capacity,” said Eric Johnson. “I want to thank Governor Noem for the appointment. I am so grateful for the confidence she has shown in me, and I plan to do my best to make her proud of this decision."

Eric Johnson lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Nicole. Together, they have two children: Emma and Harper. A photo of Johnson can be found here.