Pennington County State's Attorney Mark Vargo resigns for job in Thailand

Pennington County State's Attorney and former interim South Dakota Attorney General Mark Vargo announced he is resigning and taking a job to work on "establishing the rule of law in southeast Asia."

His last day in the office will be April 24. In the week or two following that, he and his wife plan to head for Thailand where Vargo will be based for 20 months.

The position is somewhat elusive. Vargo said he can't share the organization he'll be working with because of security concerns, but that it's non-governmental.

The purpose of the project, which started in January and will run through December 2024, is to work with governments to "strengthen the purpose of the law," Vargo said.

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"There are definitely countries in that region where law has been more of a weapon against the people than it has been a protection for the people," Vargo said. "Everything from the constitution, to criminal laws, to criminal procedures, and even training of judges and prosecutors is all going to be part of what I'm expected to do as needed, and as desired by our local partners."

Vargo said someone he previously worked with is the head of the project and brought it up to him last fall. He officially submitted his resignation to the auditor's office three weeks ago, and accepted the offer about a week before that.

"There was a lot of discussion when you're talking about moving to, kind of, almost exactly the other side of the world," he said.

Ultimately, he decided to take the opportunity with almost two years remaining of his term as state's attorney, which is set to expire at the end of 2024.

Vargo said the immediate nature of the job meant he had to retire before his term ended.

"Largely because the opportunity is now," Vargo said. "Maybe if I'd said no I could have tried something similar or along the same lines in two years, but this is something that's happening now. And I decided to take the opportunity."

Now that he is taking the opportunity, the Pennington County Commission is tasked with selecting someone to finish out the remainder of his term. Vargo expects them to make that decision by next Tuesday at the commission's next meeting.

"I don't feel that I am abandoning a post. I am ceding it to somebody else, and I am ceding it to somebody — hopefully, if the commission makes the right choice — in whom I have a great deal of faith," Vargo said.

That person is Lara Roetzel. Roetzel served as the interim Pennington County state's attorney from late June 2022 until early January 2023 while Vargo was the South Dakota Attorney General. Gov. Kristi Noem appointed Vargo to complete the impeached Jason Ravnsborg's term.

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Roetzel had been the chief criminal deputy state's attorney since 2009 prior to serving as the state's attorney. After Vargo returned to his office in January, she announced her resignation to work for the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.

After just a few months, she may find herself back at the state's attorney's office.

"Although I didn't anticipate holding this office again so soon, my life's calling has been justice for victims and community safety," Roetzel said. "Now more than ever, we need strong law and order leadership at every level. I'm honored to be considered by the Pennington County Commission for this critical role."

Vargo said he isn't aware of anyone other than Roetzel in the running for the position, but he thinks she's the right choice.

"I have made no secret of the fact that I would like to see them appoint her again," he said.

Vargo is confident that no matter who ends up with the position, the office will survive without him.

"I feel like I can do this because I know that this is a strong office that will continue to do great work down the line," he said.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Pennington County State's Attorney resigns for job in Thailand