SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- A Russian woman arrested for spying against the U.S. has South Dakota connections.
Maria Butina has spoken at the University of South Dakota, in the Sioux Falls Schools District and at a Republican youth camp in the Black Hills run by Dusty Johnson.
The congressional candidate tells Kelo.com News that Butina posed as a freedom fighter, fighting injustice in Putin's Russia.
"Instead, it looks like she’s a scam artist and a liar.....I’m angry about this, about their election meddling, and their other attempts to undermine America. Russia is not our friend."
Johnson says if Butina is found guilty, he hopes she does a long time in prison.
Court documents show that Butina helped set up a business in South Dakota in 2016 called Bridges LLC.
She's accused of trying to infiltrate political groups, including a gun-rights group.