Norfolk Man Charged In Phyllis Hunhoff Murder, Kidnapping

A Norfolk man has been charged in the kidnapping and murder of Yankton woman whose body was found in Knox County in November.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Joseph Lloyd James, 47 of Norfolk, has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of kidnapping and one count of carjacking and is facing either life in prison or the death penalty if convicted. He was indicted on arson in December.

Phyllis Hunhoff, 59 of Yankton, was reported missing on Nov. 5. She was last seen by family leaving her mother’s home in Utica, S.D., around 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 4. Her body was founded on the Santee Sioux Reservation in Knox County in her burned vehicle near a bridge along Highway 12.

According to court records, video shows James exiting the driver’s seat of the 2001 Honda Accord owned by Hunhoff and purchasing gas at the Feather Hill gas station at the Ohiya Casino around 3:10 a.m. on Nov. 5. He was seen returning to the gas station at 5:51 in the same car and pumping gas into a pop bottle.

James was wearing a shirt with blood on it, according to records. That shirt was later found at home he visited and tested positive for Hunhoff’s blood. Found at the car, according to court records, was a pop bottle and clothing that smelled of gasoline.

James has been charged with the following:

Count 1: Murder in Indian Country from on or about November 5, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is mandatory Life in prison, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Count II: Felony murder in Indian Country. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is mandatory Life in prison, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Count III: Kidnapping resulting in death. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is mandatory Life in prison or the death penalty, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Count IV: Carjacking resulting in death. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to Life in prison or the death penalty, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.