District of South Dakota

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Watauga, South Dakota, man convicted of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Simple Assault on a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on November 4, 2024.

Justin James Schneider, age 39, was sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and a $125 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. His revolver was also forfeited.

Schneider was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. Following a jury trial, he was convicted on August 8, 2024.

On June 20, 2023, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office received credible information that Schneider had discharged a revolver earlier that day and was armed and dangerous. The Corson County Sheriff requested and received assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services to detain and arrest Schneider. A BIA officer found Schneider in Bullhead, South Dakota, which lies within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. When the officer attempted to arrest him, Schneider fled in his pickup to a nearby pasture and engaged in an armed stand-off with Corson County deputies and BIA police officers. Schneider eventually hopped back into his pickup and fled to the Bullhead Community Center, striking a police squad car en route. Schneider then exited his pickup, brandishing a revolver, gesturing wildly towards nearby civilians and disregarding repeated police commands to drop his gun. As Schneider moved quickly towards unarmed children, a police officer shot him to protect the public. Schneider was taken into custody without further incident.

Schneider has nine prior felony convictions, including convictions for Aggravated Assault, Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Driving Under the Influence, Possession of Methamphetamine and Ingestion of Methamphetamine.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Schneider was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced two Winner, South Dakota, men convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencings took place on November 5, 2024.

Arthur Black Bull, age 19, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Therryn Black Horse, age 22, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Black Bull and Black Horse were indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2024.  Black Bull pleaded guilty on August 5, 2024. Black Horse pleaded guilty on August 7, 2024.

The convictions stem from an incident that occurred in April of 2023 in Winner Tribal Housing, which is in Tripp County, South Dakota, and which is part of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. In the early morning hours of April 13, 2023, Black Bull and Black Horse drove by the victim’s residence in Winner Tribal Housing. Black Horse had a previous disagreement with the victim and wanted to scare him. As they passed the residence in their vehicle, Black Bull fired multiple rounds at the residence with a 9mm pistol, striking the outside of the residence. The victim and his family were in the residence at the time of the shooting, but no one was injured. Shell casings collected from the scene were later matched to a pistol that was seized by law enforcement in a traffic stop in May of 2023. The pistol was subsequently traced to Black Bull. He and Black Horse will forfeit ownership of the pistol to the United States.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI.  Senior Litigation Counsel Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.   

Black Bull and Black Horse were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Sisseton, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on November 5, 2024, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Daniel Oscar Seaboy, age 23, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay a $200 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Seaboy was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2024. He pleaded guilty on August 19, 2024.

In March of 2023, a 13-year-old female and a 14-year-old female were at Seaboy’s house visiting another minor female. Seaboy provided alcohol and marijuana to the girls. Seaboy then had sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old female and infected her with a sexually transmitted disease. Seaboy also had sexual intercourse with the 13-year-old female without her consent.

Separately, in October of 2023, Seaboy lured a 14-year-old female from her home, provided her with alcohol and a vape pen, and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent. Seaboy also infected this minor female with a sexually transmitted disease.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

Seaboy was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on November 4, 2024.

Jaden Rae Lalley-Mestas, age 24, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Lalley-Mestas was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. He pleaded guilty on August 16, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from a package seizure that occurred in April of 2023 when law enforcement discovered that approximately six pounds of methamphetamine was shipped in a package destined for Lalley-Mestas’ home. Agents later examined the contents of Lalley-Mestas’ phone pursuant to a search warrant and discovered that he was working with others to receive the package and provide it to another co-conspirator.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Lalley-Mestas was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man was acquitted of Escape from Custody following a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota, on November 7, 2024.

Jericho Ladeaux, age 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2024.

The charges relate to Ladeaux allegedly failing to report to a Rapid City halfway house to finish his federal sentence. Ladeaux was found in Rapid City by local law enforcement approximately seven hours after he had been ordered to report to the halfway house.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Curtis Cummings, age 39, of Rapid City, South Dakota, of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City. The verdict was returned on November 7, 2024.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 20 years up to life in custody and/or a $10,000,000 fine, five years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Cummings was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023.

Cummings was part of a large-scale distribution of fentanyl in the Rapid City area from December of 2021 through June of 2023. Cummings and others traveled to Colorado on a weekly basis to obtain significant quantities of fentanyl pills. When they returned to Rapid City, Cummings distributed the fentanyl pills from his home. During the course of the conspiracy fentanyl pills distributed by Cummings, and others working for him, were consumed by an individual on April 26, 2022, resulting in the overdose death of that individual.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Agency. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Edward C. Tarbay prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for January 24, 2025. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of First-Degree Burglary. The sentencing took place on November 4, 2024.

Nathaniel B. Griffin, age 49, was sentenced to nearly 14 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Griffin was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.

Shortly after nightfall on July 5, 2023, Griffin and two co-defendants went to a woman’s home in McLaughlin to assault a man they believed had inappropriately touched a girl. McLaughlin lies within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. As the woman yelled at them to go away, one of the co-defendants kicked in her front door. Griffin and another co-defendant rushed into the house while their accomplice stood on the stoop. Although the man was passed out, one of Griffin’s co-defendants repeatedly kicked him in the face while Griffin illumined the scene with a cell phone flashlight. The man incurred a broken nose and shattered orbital and sinus bones in the affray. He still struggles with his vision and headaches today.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Griffin was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a South Dakota man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on November 4, 2024, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Lance Quintin Longie, age 42, was sentenced to three years and nine months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Longie was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in May of 2024. Longie proceeded to trial on August 5, 2024, and the jury returned a guilty verdict.

Longie is required to register a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act because he was convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree in 2004 in the District Court of Minnesota, Clay County. In the summer of 2022, Longie was residing in Moorhead, MN, and last registered with the Moorhead Police Department on June 29, 2022. Later that summer, Longie traveled to South Dakota and took up residence in New Effington. Longie resided at the New Effington address and did not update the sex offender registry in South Dakota until he was arrested at the residence by officers with the Roberts County Sheriff’s Office on March 22, 2024.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Beau Blouin prosecuted the case.

Longie was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on October 31, 2024.

Krystal Kay Bulin, 30, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. She was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $3,000 in restitution to her victim. Bulin will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

A federal grand jury indicted Bulin in November of 2023 for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor by a Parent or Guardian and Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Child Pornography. She pleaded guilty on August 2, 2024.

The investigation began when a concerned citizen alerted law enforcement after observing a 16-year-old minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct while broadcasting on the online streaming platform “BuzzCast.” The South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force determined the minor lived in Rapid City, and that the defendant was facilitating the livestream in order to make money for a speeding ticket she received. The defendant, the victim’s temporary guardian, repeatedly typed messages to viewers and moderated the chat room in which viewers were watching and commenting on the minor’s exploitation in real time. One of the viewers sent the defendant $100 via CashApp as payment for the child pornography he watched of the victim.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the Rapid City Police Department, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Bulin was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Worthington, Minnesota, man and a Brandon, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Keophothone Rounoubon, age 31, was sentenced on April 16, 2024, to 11 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. 

Tremaine Vang Sihavong, age 35, was sentenced on October 28, 2024, to five years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Rounoubon and Sihavong were indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. Rounoubon pleaded guilty on January 26, 2024, and Sihavong pleaded guilty on August 16, 2024.

Starting in approximately 2020 and ending in approximately 2023, these two defendants agreed together and with others to sell methamphetamine throughout the Sioux Falls area. The conspiracy involved tens of pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of dollars in drug proceeds.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

Rounoubon and Sihavong were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving their sentences.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Blackhawk, South Dakota, man, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Darin Wherley, age 38, was sentenced on November 1, 2024, to 26 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Wherley was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2023, and pleaded guilty on June 12, 2024.

Wherley’s conviction stemmed from his involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation in western South Dakota. During this conspiracy Wherley would supply thousands of dollars to Mark Bond to purchase large amounts of methamphetamine from his Colorado sources, Richard Glover and Teresa Goodroad. Once the drugs were in South Dakota, it would be distributed by various individuals. Between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine was distributed during the course of this criminal enterprise.

“Darin Wherley was involved in a drug conspiracy that brought nearly 100 pounds of methamphetamine into western South Dakota, including into the Pine Ridge Reservation,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “His 26-year sentence and the sentences handed down to his co-conspirators reflect not only the seriousness of the crimes committed, but also the persistence of the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force to locate, investigate, and hold accountable those who peddle illicit substances in our South Dakota communities.”

Glover, Goodroad, Bond, and others part of this conspiracy were sentenced earlier this summer.  Glover and Goodroad both received sentences of 17 years and six months in prison and Bond received a sentence of 26 years and eight months in prison.

This case was investigated by the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Wherley was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on October 30, 2024.

Hunter Hill, age 23, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Upon release from federal prison, Hill must register as a sex offender.

Hill was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2024. He pleaded guilty on August 12, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 10, 2024, when Hill, while using his cellular phone and the social media application Taimi, attempted to receive images of child pornography from an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old female. Hill drove to a park in Sioux Falls to meet with the undercover agent and was subsequently arrested.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

Hill was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 28, 2024.

Kaylonie Goff, 30, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Goff was also ordered to pay $5,013.18 in restitution to the family of an overdose victim.

Goff was indicted for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death and two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. She pleaded guilty on August 13, 2024.

The conviction stems from Goff and others distributing large quantities of fentanyl and heroin in the Rapid City area between 2021 and 2023. A pill Goff sold led to the overdose death of another  person. In sentencing Goff, Judge Theeler focused on the deadly risks of distributing fentanyl and the fact every time Goff sold fentanyl, she was putting others at risk. The judge further found Goff’s significant role in the conspiracy and her attempts to obstruct the investigation justified a sentence of 25 years in prison.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is a local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Goff was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of Bank Fraud.

Lyle Dean Misun Tibbits, 31, was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Tibbits was also ordered to pay $22,500 in restitution to Security First Bank.

Investigation showed Tibbits, who was employed as a ranch hand, stole checks from his employer’s checkbook and successfully cashed six of them, for a total loss of $22,500. Tibbits’ seventh attempt to cash a check was reported as fraudulent. Tibbits was captured on bank video footage cashing the checks. In sentencing Tibbits to a custody term, Judge Schreier stated his choice to steal checks from his employer was “reprehensible.” Judge Schreier further required Tibbits to make monthly payments towards the restitution after his release from custody.   

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Tibbits was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Piedmont, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 28, 2024.

Sammy Stabber, 55, was sentenced to six years and eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Stabber was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in November of 2023. He pleaded guilty on August 13, 2024.

The case originated from a traffic stop in Rapid City in August of 2023. Stabber, the passenger in the car, fled the traffic stop. When he was apprehended, officers learned he had absconded from parole and had been carrying over three ounces of methamphetamine.

In sentencing Stabber, District Judge Theeler noted the seriousness of the crime of distribution of methamphetamine and how much danger it causes in the community.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Stabber was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Failure to Appear. The sentencing took place on August 5, 2024.

Ethan Blue Bird, age 35, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Blue Bird was indicted for failure to appear in April of 2023 and later, in January of 2024 for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. He pleaded guilty on May 6, 2024.

From January of 2021 through April of 2023, Blue Bird was involved in a conspiracy with several others in the distribution of methamphetamine on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. As part of the conspiracy, Blue Bird was responsible for distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine. On April 24, 2022, Blue Bird was found in possession of a firearm. He admitted to law enforcement to being a daily user of methamphetamine. Following his initial indictment, Blue Bird was released on bond conditions. On March 28, 2023, Blue Bird failed to appear for the jury trial previously scheduled relating to the firearm offense.  

These cases were investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan Dilges and Kirk Albertson prosecuted the cases.

Blue Bird was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Martin, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on October 29, 2024.

KT High Elk, also known as KT Burgee, age 30, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

High Elk was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2022. He pleaded guilty on July 17, 2024.

High Elk and an 18-year-old woman were at a house party on January 15, 2022, in Eagle Butte in the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. When the woman went upstairs, High Elk followed her, then touched her genitalia without her consent. At the time, High Elk was required to register as a sex offender based on a 2014 conviction for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. He was apprehended horseback riding near Snellman, Minnesota, in March of 2024.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

High Elk was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Tyler Laforge, age 45, was sentenced on October 31, 2024, to four years and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Laforge was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023, and pleaded guilty on June 24, 2024.

His conviction stemmed from his involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation in Rapid City, South Dakota, and in the Pine Ridge Reservation. During this conspiracy Richard Glover and his significant other, Teresa Goodroad, were the source of supply for Mark Bond and Todd Pape in South Dakota. Bond and Pape would make trips to Colorado to pick up pounds of methamphetamine from Goodroad and Glover. Other times Goodroad and Glover would deliver the drugs to Bond and Pape in South Dakota. Once the drugs were in South Dakota they would be distributed by various individuals in the Pine Ridge Reservation, including Laforge, Marlena Pond, Chris Janis, Tessie Laforge, and others. Between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine were distributed during the course of this criminal enterprise.

Glover, Goodroad, Bond, Pape, Pond, Janis, and Tessie Laforge were sentenced earlier this summer to federal prison as follows:

• Bond received a sentence of 26 years and eight months in federal prison
• Pape received a sentence of 25 years in federal prison
• Glover received a sentence of 17 years and six months in federal prison
• Goodroad received a sentence of 17 years and six months in federal prison
• Pond received a sentence of six years in federal prison
• Janis received a sentence of six years in prison
• Tessie Laforge received a sentence of two years and six months in prison.

This case was investigated by the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Edward Tarbay prosecuted the case.

Laforge was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that the Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Bennett, Jackson, Minnehaha, and Oglala Lakota Counties for the Nov. 5 general election.

The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country.

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include Justice Department personnel, who will contact state and local election officials as needed throughout Election Day.

The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion.

On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at (605) 838-9446. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (605) 334-6881.

Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the department’s toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov.

Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted.

More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, sentenced a Bridger, South Dakota, woman and her son, both convicted of Second-Degree Murder, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencings took place on October 28, 2024.

Theodora Belt, age 48, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison on the murder charge and 10 years in prison on each of the remaining assault charges, all to run concurrently. Bailey Belt, age 23, was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison on the murder charge and 10 years in prison on the assault charges involving two separate victims, all to run concurrently.

Both defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. On, June 28, 2024, mother and son were convicted following a federal jury trial of all counts in the Indictment.

The convictions stem from an incident that occurred on May 27, 2023, in Bridger, in the Cheyenne River Reservation. Theodora and Bailey Belt were at the victims’ home socializing. An argument began between the parties and the defendants assaulted victim #1 by punching, kicking, and beating him with a shovel. As victim #1 lay on the ground outside the home he was run over with Theodora’s car, which ultimately killed him. In addition, Bailey Belt struck victim #2 in the head with a shovel, causing him to be life-flighted to Rapid City for medical treatment. He survived the assault.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Troy R. Morley and Brian J. Murphy prosecuted the case.

The defendants were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that the United States has brought federal charges against a Rapid City, South Dakota, man for Distribution of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.

Lewis Patterson III, age 39, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on October 30, 2024. Patterson pleaded not guilty to the Criminal Complaint.

If convicted of distributing child pornography, Patterson faces a mandatory minimum of five years up to 20 years in prison, and a fine of up $250,000. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years up to life of supervised release. Restitution is mandatory. Patterson also faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of possessing child pornography.

The charges are merely accusations and Patterson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Law enforcement’s initial investigation has established that since at least March of 2024, Patterson personally distributed hundreds of thousands of images and videos of children being sexually abused across multiple internet-based applications, platforms, and encrypted messaging services. Patterson also utilized artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency to profit from his child pornography distribution scheme.  

“The frequency with which criminals target and sexually exploit children is terrifying,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “We are fortunate to have federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that regularly collaborate through the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce to expose this nefarious activity. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize the federal prosecution of anyone looking to use the Internet to exploit children.”

In response to the arrest, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley stated, “Cooperation by law enforcement resulted in this successful investigation. As Attorney General, I will continue to use every tool available to protect children and hold accountable those harming children.”

The investigation is being led by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, consisting of members of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office, partnered with Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox is prosecuting the case. 

Patterson was detained following his arraignment and is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A detention hearing is scheduled for November 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Valentine, Nebraska, man convicted of seven counts of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on October 28, 2024.

Christopher Franklin Beauvais, 41, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $700 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $1,426 in restitution to one of his victims.

Beauvais was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2022. He pleaded guilty on July 22, 2024.

Between June of 2006 and November of 2012, in Mission, South Dakota, within the Rosebud Indian Reservation, Beauvais sexually abused three adolescent girls. He repeatedly touched the girls’ buttocks, breasts, and genital areas in a home, at his workplace, and in public. The children were between 12 and 15 years old. That abuse ended in 2012 when Beauvais solicited a picture of the youngest girl’s bare breasts. Later, in 2020 in Mission, Beauvais touched yet another 12-year-old girl’s genital area over the clothing while she slept in her bed.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain serious crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carl Thunem and Wayne Vanhueizen prosecuted the case.

Beauvais was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter.

Devin White Calf, age 23, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

White Calf was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury in December of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024.

In September of 2023, White Calf consumed alcohol with a group of friends and relatives. At some point, White Calf drove his group to a place called “Top of the World.” This location is just west of Pine Ridge. At this location, the group continued to drink alcohol. While leaving “Top of the World,” White Calf lost control of the vehicle. One of the passengers, a 16-year-old female, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. Multiple other passengers were also ejected from the car and sustained bodily injuries. Law enforcement was dispatched to the scene because individuals nearby could hear screaming and crying. When law enforcement arrived on scene, White Calf told them that he was not driving and that someone with the last name “Titus” was driving. Several months later, White Calf eventually admitted to law enforcement that he was the driver.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe – Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

White Calf was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Parmelee, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on October 29, 2024.

Brent Lester, age 28, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Lester was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023.  He pleaded guilty on July 17, 2024.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in October of 2022 within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On October 14, 2022, Lester visited the residence of the victim, an adult male, in Mission, South Dakota. Lester was invited into the residence, but subsequently became loud and confrontational prompting the victim to demand Lester leave. Lester then produced a pistol and fired one shot at the victim, causing superficial wounds to the victim’s abdomen. Lester fled the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement later that day.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Senior Litigation Counsel Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.   

Lester was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Francis Lee DuBray, age 35, of Wakpala, South Dakota, was found guilty on October 24, 2024, of  First-Degree Burglary and two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, following a three-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on October 24, 2024.

The charge of First-Degree Burglary carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. The charges of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

DuBray was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2023.

Shortly after nightfall on July 5, 2023, DuBray and two co-defendants went to a woman’s home in McLaughlin, South Dakota, to assault a man they believed had inappropriately touched a girl.  McLaughlin lies within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. As the woman yelled at them to go away, one of the co-defendants kicked in her front door. DuBray’s co-defendants rushed into the house while DuBray stood by on the stoop, hollering and chastising the woman for allowing the man to stay in her house. Although the man was passed out, DuBray’s co-defendants repeatedly struck him with a metal bat and kicked him in the face while the woman pleaded for them to stop.  They broke his nose and shattered his orbital and sinus bones. He still struggles with his vision and headaches today. As DuBray’s co-defendants left the home, one of them knocked the woman to the floor. As she crawled towards the front door, DuBray kicked her in the face, then fled with his companions.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain serious crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation report was ordered and a sentencing date of June 2, 2025, was set.  DuBray remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Gerber David Santos Gonzalez, age 25, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet and Sex Trafficking of a Child by Force or Coercion following a two-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls. The verdict was returned on October 23, 2024.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Santos Gonzalez was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2024.

Santos Gonzalez used his cell phone and the Facebook Messenger app to try to convince who he believed was a 15-year-old girl to have a sexual encounter with him and offered her $100 to do so. The 15-year-old girl was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Santos Gonzalez arranged to meet the 15-year-old girl persona at a park in Sioux Falls, where he was apprehended by authorities and taken into custody.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Police Department, Watertown Police Department, Tea Police Department, Rapid City Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on October 21, 2024.

Ronald Long Feather, 25, was sentenced to 34 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Long Feather was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2023. He pleaded guilty on July 23, 2024.

Shortly before 7:00 p.m. on March 9, 2023, in McLaughlin, which lies within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, a belligerent and intoxicated man hurled a plastic snow shovel at Long Feather’s front door, damaging the screen. Long Feather, heavily intoxicated himself, stepped outside and confronted him on the stoop. During the ensuing scuffle, Long Feather stabbed the man in the neck. The man fled on foot to his uncle’s home, who turned him away, opining the blood would scare the children. No one called 911. The man wandered the snow-covered streets of McLaughlin until Good Samaritans rendered aid and called for an ambulance. The man’s heart stopped twenty minutes before reaching the Mobridge Hospital. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Long Feather was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Little Eagle, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault by Striking, Beating or Wounding. The sentencing took place on October 21, 2024.

Chate Moses Bobtail Bear, 46, was sentenced to one year in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Bobtail Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.

On January 25, 2024, Bobtail Bear quarreled with his brother-in-law at a home in Little Eagle, which lies within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. At police direction, Bobtail Bear decamped. Later that evening, Bobtail Bear returned, kicked open the door, entered the house, and swatted his brother-in-law across the face, who sustained a fractured sinus and a laceration to his knee in the affray.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain serious crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs- Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carl Thunem and Brian Murphy prosecuted the case.

Bobtail Bear was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. The sentencing took place on October 21, 2024.

Kobe Ryan Running Bear, a/k/a Kobe Running Bear-Espinoza, age 21, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Running Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. He pleaded guilty on July 24, 2024.

The convictions stem from two separate incidents which occurred in July of 2023 within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On July 4, 2023, Running Bear was driving a vehicle faster than the posted speed limit in Mission, South Dakota. A law enforcement officer observed Running Bear and initiated a traffic stop, but Running Bear accelerated and attempted to flee. During the pursuit, Running Bear threw a short shotgun from his vehicle. The shotgun was recovered by law enforcement and Running Bear was subsequently apprehended. The short shotgun had a barrel of less than eighteen inches in length and was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Running Bear will forfeit ownership of the firearm to the United States.

On July 29, 2023, Running Bear was an inmate at the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Adult Correctional Facility. At one point, Running Bear and another man attacked a fellow inmate and assaulted him with a pencil.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.   

Running Bear was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Oscar Hudspeth, Sr., age 54, of Oglala, South Dakota, of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on October 10, 2024.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Hudspeth was indicted by a federal grand jury in December of 2023.

In 2023, a female juvenile disclosed that Hudspeth had sexually abused her while her mother was married to him. The child was forensically interviewed and disclosed that Hudspeth touched her in a sexual manner on more than one occasion while he was her stepfather. The abuse occurred at their home in Oglala while the child’s mother was working. At the time, Hudspeth worked as a law enforcement officer for the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.

“This case represents a tragedy on many fronts, including that the child victim suffered horrendous abuse at the hands of a person sworn to uphold the law,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “Our office’s prosecution is a reminder that no one—not even a police officer—is above the law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains steadfast in its commitment to vigorously protect children and aggressively fight to vindicate their right to lead lives free from abuse of any kind.”

“Our communities rely on law enforcement officers to serve and protect. Hudspeth betrayed his oath and violated the trust placed in him by harming the most vulnerable among us. No child should ever endure such an egregious crime,” said Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “This conviction demonstrates the FBI's commitment to ensuring that those who commit such heinous acts are held accountable, no matter their position or authority.”

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Florence, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 21, 2024.

Heath Kelvin Hagen, a/k/a Rem, age 37, was sentenced to 31 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Hagen was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He was convicted at trial on July 30, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from Hagen’s involvement in a large fentanyl trafficking organization over the course of the Fall of 2021 into the Spring of 2022. Hagen knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute 400 grams of a substance containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. Hagen obtained pills containing fentanyl from a co-conspirator in Minneapolis. Hagen then re-sold the pills to sub-distributors and drug customers in Watertown and Sisseton. Following a search of Hagen’s residence, investigators recovered 60 fentanyl pills hidden in a fake tea can. Investigators determined Hagen was involved in the distribution of over 20,000 pills containing fentanyl.

“This defendant was repeatedly identified as the biggest fentanyl dealer in the Watertown area, responsible for peddling thousands of lethal doses of fentanyl into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “His sentence of over thirty-one years not only reflects the seriousness of his crime, but the relentless, collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to identify and investigate drug traffickers so that my office can prosecute and put away reckless criminals looking to profit off vulnerable and unsuspecting South Dakotans.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Hagen was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Canku Martinez, age 22, of Mission, South Dakota, was found guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Kidnapping following a four-day federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on October 18, 2024.

Each charges carries a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, five years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Martinez was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2024.

At trial, the evidence established in the early morning hours of October 29, 2024, in the Rosebud Indian Reservation, Martinez agreed to give a juvenile a ride home from a party near Rosebud, South Dakota. Rather than give her a ride home, however, Martinez drove her to a secluded area outside of Rosebud and made sexual advances. When the juvenile rejected his advances, Martinez produced a knife and forced her to engage in sexual activity. Martinez subsequently dropped the victim off at her residence, told her not to tell anyone what he had done, and left the area shortly thereafter.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Winner (SD) Police Department. Senior Litigation Counsel Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.   

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has not been set. Martinez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Ann M. Hoffman will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Hoffman has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of South Dakota, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsdell. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the integrity of the election process and bringing to justice those who seek to corrupt it.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).

To respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Hoffman will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (605) 838-9446. In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (605) 334-6881.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., by filing a complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at (800) 253-3931.

U.S. Attorney Ramsdell further stated, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Watertown, South Dakota, man, convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on October 21, 2024, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Christopher Thomas Manin, age 56, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, as well as $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Manin was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October 2023. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.

On July 25, 2022, the Watertown Police Department was dispatched to an apartment complex in town for reports of a domestic situation transpiring. Officers arrived at the apartment and spoke with Manin. During the investigation, the officers discovered Manin was in possession of several firearms and ammunition while he had an active domestic protection order against him and that he had been previously convicted of a felony.

“The presence of firearms in homes where domestic violence persists drastically increases the likelihood of intimate partner gun violence,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “For that reason, individuals subject to an active domestic protection order are federally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is fully committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold accountable perpetrators of domestic violence who illegally possess firearms.”

Manin was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of four counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, one count of Abusive Sexual Contact, and one count of Witness Tampering. The sentencing took place on October 17, 2024.

Lloyd Emerson Elk, 48, was sentenced to a total of 50 years in federal prison on each count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $600 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was also sentenced to five years in prison for Abusive Sexual Contact and 25 years in prison on the Witness Tampering conviction.  The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. 

Elk was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2024. He was found guilty following a two-day jury trial in July of 2024.  At the sentencing hearing, Judge Theeler reflected Elk’s long pattern of violence was very concerning to her. She noted, “Crimes against children are some of the most heinous crimes . . .  Adults in positions of power can abuse that position, take away the innocence of a child and hurt them.”   

Elk, a former tribal law enforcement officer, sexually abused his stepdaughter multiple times when she was between the ages of five and seven years old.  Elk employed years of domestic violence to control the victim and her family, including physical and emotional abuse.  Elk told the victim if she ever told anyone about the sexual abuse, that he would kill her, her mother, and her brother.  When the victim finally disclosed the abuse in late 2023, the investigation revealed Elk had sexually abused another seven-year-old girl in 1998—while employed as a police officer in Idaho—and made similar threats to her to keep her quiet.

“Every instance of child sexual abuse is simultaneously shocking and heartbreaking,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “But it is unthinkable that such victimization would happen at the hands of a law enforcement officer. It took great courage for the victims in this case to come forward with the truth, and we are grateful to our partners at the FBI who expertly investigated the matter so that our prosecutors could bring this violent defendant to justice, once and for all. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will never yield in our steadfast commitment to protecting women and children from violence.”

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Lindrooth and Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. Elk was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Piedmont, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on October 10, 2024.

Corbin Mudlin, age 31, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Mudlin was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 1, 2024.

In January of 2024, a Rapid City Police Officer observed Mudlin walking in Rapid City and knew that Mudlin had an active warrant for his arrest. The officer contacted Mudlin and arrested him on his active warrant. At the time he was arrested, Mudlin had a SIG Sauer 9mm semi-automatic pistol in his waistband with an extended magazine containing 20 rounds of ammunition. Mudlin knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2016 felony conviction.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Mudlin was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol has sentenced a Dell Rapids, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on October 15, 2024.

Dylan Ryan, age 25, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Upon his release from federal prison, Ryan must register as a sex offender.

Ryan was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 24. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 9, 2024, when Ryan, while using his cellular phone and the social media application Reddit, attempted to receive images of child pornography from an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old female. Ryan drove to a park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to meet with the undercover agent and was subsequently arrested.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

Ryan was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on October 10, 2024.

Kristopher Kerbaugh, Sr., 36, was sentenced to a total of two years and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Kerbaugh was indicted for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner by a federal grand jury in May of 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 15, 2024.

The conviction stems from Kerbaugh stabbing the victim, his wife of ten years. Kerbaugh, who at the time was intoxicated, became angry with the victim while accusing her of infidelity and stabbed her three times with a pocketknife. He also beat her. After stabbing her, he attempted to cover her wounds with duct tape. A third party called the police, and the victim was airlifted to the hospital for treatment of her injuries. In sentencing Kerbaugh, District Judge Schreier stated this was one of the more serious assaults she had seen between a husband and wife.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Kerbaugh was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Greensboro, North Carolina, woman convicted of False Statement. The sentencing took place on October 10, 2024.

Dr. Erin Lynn Hower, age 39, was sentenced to time served, followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $22,832.00 in restitution.

Hower was indicted on two counts of False Statement by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. She pleaded guilty on June 10, 2024.

Between January and February of 2018, Hower was employed as an urgent care locum tenens pediatrician in a pediatric clinic in North Carolina, where she held a medical license. During that time, Hower saw a male patient twice in January and once in February. Thereafter, Hower engaged in a sexual relationship with the male patient. After the sexual relationship was discovered, the North Carolina Medical Board began an investigation into Hower’s sexual relationship with the patient, as well as other complaints that had been made against her. Hower was made aware of the North Carolina Medical Board’s investigation and knew that one of the allegations being investigated was the sexual relationship with a patient.

In July of 2020, while the North Carolina Medical Board investigation was underway, Hower applied for a pediatric position with Indian Health Service (“IHS") in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. As part of the application, Hower completed a credentialing application, which was sent to and reviewed by several individuals, including the Acting Chief Executive Officer for IHS. The application contained several questions that Hower was required to answer, including whether there were any disciplinary actions or investigations against her by any state licensure board. Hower failed to disclose that the disciplinary action or investigation by the North Carolina Medical Board involved sexual misconduct allegations. Based on her false responses in her application, Hower was hired to work as a pediatrician at IHS in Pine Ridge and began in August of 2020. At no time during her employment did Hower disclose that she was under investigation by the North Carolina Medical Board for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient. While Hower was employed at IHS, the North Carolina Medical Board completed its investigation and concluded Hower’s sexual relationship with a patient constituted unprofessional conduct. On January 4, 2021, the North Carolina Medical Board ordered Hower’s medical license to be indefinitely suspended. Thereafter, Hower continued to work at IHS for several weeks despite her medical license being suspended.

“We trust pediatricians with the most vulnerable among us—our children,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “When pediatricians betray that trust by concealing allegations of sexual misconduct, they not only endanger the lives of those in their care, but they undermine the very foundation of medical ethics. It is therefore imperative that such actions are met with accountability. I am grateful to our partners at HHS-OIG and my colleagues at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for holding this defendant to account in federal court.”

“This physician sentenced in this case lied to conceal the fact that she was under investigation for sexual misconduct allegations when applying for a position in the Indian Health Service, thus jeopardizing patient safety through her dishonesty,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to hold accountable those who undermine the integrity of federal health care programs to ensure that patients are provided quality care by appropriately licensed providers.”

This case was investigated by Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced four individuals convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.

Nathan Johnson, age 39, from Denver, Colorado, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments on June 17, 2024. He was sentenced to 36 years and eight  months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. Johnson was sentenced in September of 2024.

Michele Johnson, age 48, from Steen, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments on July 29, 2024. She was sentenced to 31 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. She was sentenced in October of 2024.

Jesse Richmond, age 51, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments on June 18, 2024. He was sentenced to 24 years and four months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. Richmond was sentenced in September of 2024.

Tony Hunter, age 53, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance on May 29, 2024. He was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Hunter was sentenced in September of 2024.

Nathan Johnson, Michele Johnson, Matthew Thomas, Jesse Richmond, and Tony Hunter were originally indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. A third superseding indictment was filed in May of 2024 adding defendant, Alfred Siani.

From December of 2022 to July of 2023, the above-mentioned defendants alongside numerous other co-conspirators transported large loads of methamphetamine from California to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Nathan Johnson, acting as the leader of the conspiracy, would travel from his home in Denver, Colorado to meet with his source of supply in Southern California. While there, Nathan Johnson would receive approximately 150-pounds worth of methamphetamine which would go on to be further distributed in Denver, Colorado, as well as South Dakota.

While in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Nathan Johnson would distribute bulk amounts of methamphetamine to his co-conspirators: Jesse Richmond, Tony Hunter, and Michele Johnson. Richmond, Hunter, and Michele Johnson would go on to further distribute the methamphetamine throughout the Sioux Falls community and into southwest Minnesota.

The amount of methamphetamine involved was in excess of 300 pounds and over $450,000 in drug proceeds were laundered during the existence of this conspiracy.

“The multi-decade sentences obtained thus far illustrate the seriousness of the crimes and the dogged commitment of every agency involved to focus our resources on those criminals who choose to distribute dangerous substances in our state,” said United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “We are grateful for the collaboration of more than a dozen federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and joint task forces, as well as out-of-state agencies, which resulted in the takedown of a network of drug dealers responsible for bringing hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics into South Dakota. We are fortunate to have such dedicated men and women doing the difficult investigative and prosecutorial work required to keep our communities safe.”

“These sentences should serve as a wake-up call to anyone transporting or distributing methamphetamine into South Dakota communities,” Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steve Bell said. “These four people are facing a combined 119 years in federal prison. Each sentence should provide the offender with ample time to reflect on the damage and destruction they’ve inflicted on so many lives.”  

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (including the Rocky Mountain Field Division, Omaha Field Division, Mexico City Country Office, Los Angeles Field Division, Special Operations Division), as well as South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, FBI, South Dakota Highway Patrol, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation team, El Paso Intelligence Center, and collaboration received from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Marshals Service, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux Falls Police Department, Mitchell Police Department, Denver Police Department, Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Worthington Police Department, Brookings Police Department, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force, Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Forde, and the Colorado Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.

All four defendants were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Brookings, South Dakota, man for Production of Child Pornography and Cyberstalking.

Jaykob Elijah Varner, age 24, was indicted in October of 2024. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on October 8, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The Indictment alleges that between August 1, 2023, and April 13, 2024, Varner knowingly induced, enticed, and coerced a minor female to create images and videos of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct, then send those images and videos to Varner. The Indictment further alleges that Varner used online applications to harass, intimidate, and keep the minor female under surveillance in order to harass and intimidate her into making such images and videos which caused her substantial emotional distress.

If convicted, Varner faces a possible maximum penalty of up to 30 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges are merely accusations and Varner is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb is prosecuting the case. 

Varner was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 8, 2024.

Andrea Pitts, age 46, was sentenced to eight years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Pitts was indicted by a federal grand jury in the March of 2023. She pleaded guilty on July 10, 2024.

On November 24, 2022, Pitts and her co-defendant Jennifer Walsh were pulled over due to speeding on I-90 in Chamberlain, South Dakota. During the traffic stop a K-9 was called and alerted to the presence of drugs. A search of the vehicle revealed five pounds of methamphetamine in a hidden compartment. Pitts and Walsh were transporting the drugs from California to South Dakota where the methamphetamine would be distributed.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Pitts was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following her sentencing. Walsh was sentenced on September 23, 2024, to eight years and one month in federal prison. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on October 7, 2024.

Marwan Abdulkareem Hamdan, age 27, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Hamdan was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty to that charge on July 29, 2024.

The charge arose from a traffic stop in the early morning hours of September 4, 2022, in which Hamdan was the front seat passenger. The vehicle was searched, and a firearm was located in the vehicle’s glove box. Forensic analysis found Hamdan’s DNA on the gun.

Hamden is prohibited from possessing firearms because he is a three-time convicted felon. He was convicted of Robbery in the Second Degree in 2015, Identity Theft in 2016, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in 2018.

This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department’s Violent Crime Unit and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

The defendant was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. The sentencing took place on October 7, 2024.

George Lamoine Ridgway, age 55, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Ridgway was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty to that charge on July 19, 2024.

On March 25, 2023, Ridgway was pulled over for a traffic violation northwest of Yankton, South Dakota. His vehicle was searched and law enforcement discovered over five pounds of methamphetamine, along with various, unused packaging materials and baggies, and over $8,000 in cash. The investigation further discovered drug transaction conversations on Ridgway’s cell phone with would-be customers.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

The defendant was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 7, 2024.

Travis Jones, age 40, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Jones was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from incidents over the course of many months until January 9, 2024, when Jones knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, and agreed with others to distribute methamphetamine. Jones obtained multiple pounds of methamphetamine from a co-conspirator and distributed it to others. Jones eventually sold an ounce of methamphetamine to a confidential informant on two separate occasions.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Jones was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 7, 2024.

Hermon Mehari Gebre, age 19, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Gebre was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 15, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from incidents over the course of many months until February of 2024, when Gebre, knowingly combined, conspired, and agreed with others to distribute over 400 grams of pills containing fentanyl. Gebre obtained the fentanyl pills from a source on more than one occasion and distributed them to others in South Dakota. Gebre also sold approximately 76 pills to someone who, unbeknownst to Gebre, was working with law enforcement as a confidential informant. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Sisseton Wahpeton Law Enforcement Services, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Gegbre was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 7, 2024.

Nathan John Barnhart, age 24, was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Barnhart was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 22, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from incidents over the course of many months until March of 2024, when Barnhart knowingly combined, conspired, and agreed with others to distribute fentanyl. Barnhart obtained the fentanyl pills from a co-conspirator and distributed them to others in the Sioux Falls area. A search warrant was executed at Barnhart’s residence and found pills containing fentanyl with a total weight of approximately 43 grams. Investigators later learned that Barnhart was involved in distributing approximately 2,700 fentanyl pills in the Sioux Falls area. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Barnhart was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on October 7, 2024.

Carter Joe Tyree, age 21, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Tyree must also register as a sex offender upon his release from federal prison.

Tyree was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 8, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 8, 2024, when Tyree attempted to use online mobile apps on his cell phone to persuade and coerce an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old female to engage in sexual activity.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

Tyree was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man with additional charges of Production of Child Pornography, Attempted Production of Child Pornography, and the Transfer of Obscene Materials to a Minor.

Justin Preuschl, age 29, was previously indicted in June of 2024 for charges involving the exploitation of minors. As the investigation continued law enforcement identified eleven additional victims and the grand jury superseded Preuschl’s indictment with 20 additional charges in October of 2024. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on October 4, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to the Superseding Indictment.  

On the counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, Preuschl faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a possible maximum of 30. On the counts of the transfer of obscene materials to a minor Preuschl faces a possible maximum of 10 years in federal prison. Each count also carries a term of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. If sentenced to prison, upon his release he could be placed on supervised release for a period of up to life. There is also a $100 assessment per count to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Superseding Indictment alleges that over a two-year period, Preuschl used various online applications and platforms to persuade, or attempted to persuade, several minor females to produce images of sexually explicit conduct and send the image or video to him. Preuschl also used various online applications to send obscene materials to minor females knowing the females were under the age of 16.

The charges are merely accusations and Preuschl is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb is prosecuting the case. 

Preuschl was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Wakpala, South Dakota, woman convicted of Child Abuse. The sentencing took place on September 30, 2024.

Sheyenne Cadotte, 28, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. One of her conditions of supervised release prohibits Cadotte from living with children or contacting her own children unless approved in writing by her probation officer.

Cadotte was indicted for Child Abuse by a federal grand jury in June of 2022. She pleaded guilty on May 16, 2024.

In 2021, Cadotte lived with her four-year-old daughter in Kenel, South Dakota, which lies within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. Cadotte’s daughter is a profoundly delayed non-verbal child who requires a feeding tube for sustenance. During the summer and fall of 2021, Cadotte starved her daughter, routinely skipping scheduled feedings and swapping whole milk for formula. Due to this neglect, the girl’s weight dropped from 34 pounds in May to 25 pounds in December, when she was removed from Cadotte’s care. The child is currently thriving in an institutional setting.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain serious crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs- Office of Justice Services and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Cadotte was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.