District of South Dakota

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on March 15, 2024.

McKinley Two Bulls Hunter, 26, was sentenced to two years and four 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.

Two Bulls Hunter was indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on November 29, 2023.

The conviction stems from Two Bulls Hunter sexually abusing a 13-year-old female on July 22, 2021, at a residence in Pine Ridge. The defendant was 24 years old at the time of the abuse.

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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Two Bulls Hunter was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced an Oglala, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on March 15, 2024.

Cole Don Brewer, 32, 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.

Brewer was indicted for Discharge of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. He pleaded guilty on December 1, 2023.

The conviction stems from Brewer shooting a male twice in the legs on August 24, 2023, at an apartment in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

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.

Brewer 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 Brandon, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on March 14, 2024.

Gatlin Wayne Herrera, age 31, 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. Herrera will also need to register as a sex offender.

Herrera was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on November 30, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incident between March 7, 2022, and March 16, 2022, when Herrera used his cell phone to knowingly request child pornography from an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old female.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.   

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.

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

COLUMBIA, S.C. — William Bruce Parker, 67, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison yesterday after pleading guilty to cyberstalking resulting in serious bodily injury and communicating threats with the intent to extort victims for the production of pornography and coerced sex acts.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Parker, a former Chief of Police of the Town of Pine Ridge and a retired 35-year veteran of law enforcement in South Carolina, was a state constable at the time of the offenses. Parked admitted to sending a series of threatening emails, texts, and voice messages in 2021 and 2022 from spoofed accounts and phone numbers to numerous female victims. Evidence presented at sentencing indicated there were six victims, many of whom were related by blood or marriage.  His messages demanded his victims produce and send pornography of themselves or he would harm the victims and their families, including physical and sexual violence directed at his victims and their spouses, children, and grandchildren, if they did not comply with his demands.  In his threats, he identified the victims’ homes, churches, workplaces, schools, and communities, specific family members and their children, and threatened harm if his victims went to the police or male family members. Parker also threatened sexual violence against his victim’s toddler-aged children and grandchildren.

After receiving the demands, victims reached out to Parker for advice and help given their relationship with him and his position in his law enforcement. Parker lied to the victims by telling them he was coordinating an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).  SLED confirmed in truth Parker never contacted SLED. Parker directed the victims to comply with the extortionists’ demands to assist SLED in the investigation. Once Parker had the coerced pornography, he then threatened to leak these images to obtain more. His threats culminated with demands that the victims engage in sex acts with Parker, record the conduct, and send to the extortionists. As a result of these threats, Parker obtained coerced sex.  

Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Parker to 15 years imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. At sentencing, Judge Currie stated that the conduct in this case was “as depraved as anything I’ve seen in my 30 years as a federal district judge.”  Parker is also required to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victims.

The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Elle E. Klein are prosecuting the case. 

###

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on March 11, 2024.

Bradmon Alexander, 36, was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Alexander was indicted, along with his co-conspirator Mackenzie Zimmerman, for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. Alexander pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on December 12, 2023, and Zimmerman pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on December 29, 2023. Zimmerman is set to be sentenced on March 25, 2024.

Alexander and Zimmerman obtained methamphetamine from co-conspirators and then distributed it to others in South Dakota. On January 19, 2023, law enforcement stopped a vehicle that Alexander and Zimmerman were in and executed a search warrant. The officers searched the vehicle and found 26.7 grams of methamphetamine packaged for sale, a digital scale, approximately 13.82 grams of pills suspected to contain fentanyl, and $1,428 in cash. In total, Alexander was responsible for personally distributing approximately two pounds of methamphetamine and hundreds of fentanyl pills.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Alexander 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 man convicted of one count of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. The sentencing took place on March 11, 2024.

Armando Angel Cheshier, 25, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release on the count of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death. He was also sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release on both counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. All sentences are to run concurrently with one another.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12, 457.85 and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Cheshier was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2022.  He was found guilty on all counts by a jury on November 22, 2023.

Cheshier distributed fentanyl and Xanax to the victim in this case, which ultimately resulted in her death, due to the fatal amounts of fentanyl in her system. The defendant and victim in this case were friends and had spent the night together, after both ingesting multiple illegal narcotics. The defendant awoke the next day to find the victim lying lifeless in his bed. After Cheshier traveled across town to obtain Narcan to administer to the victim, the authorities were then called, and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. An interview of the defendant following the incident revealed that he had not only provided the fentanyl that caused the overdose, but that he had also ingested the remaining pills prior to authorities arriving at the scene. Prior to the date of the overdose incident, Cheshier had traveled to Minneapolis to obtain 100 fentanyl pills, which were for both personal use and distribution in the Sioux Falls area.      

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

Cheshier 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 Sinaloa, Mexico man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on March 11, 2024.

Melecio Rodriguez Medina, 39, was sentenced to 27 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised released. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Rodriguez Medina, and his co-conspirator, Mario Castro Covarrubias, were indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in February 2022. Rodriguez Medina pleaded guilty on November 6, 2023 and Mario Castro Covarrubias pleaded guilty on January 3, 2024.

Rodriguez Medina and Castro Covarrubias were based in Mexico and were part of an international organization that arranged for the transportation of large amounts of narcotics to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from Mexico. They coordinated with two couriers to get approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine delivered to Sioux Falls in October of 2021. On October 18, 2021, law enforcement seized the cocaine that they had shipped to South Dakota. In December of 2021, the two again coordinated to ship approximately 42 kilograms of cocaine to Sioux Falls, which was also seized. In addition to cocaine, Rodriguez Medina was responsible for organizing a shipment of 1 kilogram of fentanyl pills to Sioux Falls. Investigators also determined that Rodriguez Medina made arrangements for a co-conspirator in South Dakota to pick up multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine in California and then take them back to South Dakota for distribution.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Rodriguez Medina 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 Tea, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on March 4, 2024.

Nicholas Ganske, 44, was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by five  years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Ganske was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 29, 2023.

Ganske, along with his co-conspirators, was responsible for distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in the District of South Dakota. Ganske would meet a co-conspirator to purchase drugs, which both knew Ganske would then sell to others in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area.

The investigation is being led by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from other law enforcement agencies such as: FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Brookings Police Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Rock County (MN) Sheriff’s Office, Worthington (MN) Police Department, and the Mitchell Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen.

Ganske 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 Evan Brown Bull, age 38, of Kyle, South Dakota, of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance - Methamphetamine following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on March 8, 2024.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years, up to life, in custody and/or a $10,000,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

Brown Bull was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. 

Evidence at trial established that between 2016 and 2023, Brown Bull conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine on the Pine Ridge Reservation and Rapid City, South Dakota. Brown Bull was seen on video selling drugs and chat records obtained also detailed multiple methamphetamine deals and demonstrated the conspiracy in which Brown Bull was involved.

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, Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the Martin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has yet to be 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 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 March 4, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Marcus Jerell Anderson, age 35, was sentenced to four years and two months federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Anderson was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. He pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person on December 1, 2023.

On February 11, 2023, Anderson was the driver of a vehicle pulled over for a traffic violation. While car-side, officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was searched. Law enforcement located over 100 grams of marijuana, over 20 grams of cocaine, a working digital scale, $2,575 in cash, and a Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm handgun under the driver’s seat. The investigation confirmed that Anderson had been in possession of that firearm; however, he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he is a convicted felon. In 2009, Anderson was convicted of Aggravated Assault in Davison County, South Dakota.   

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

Anderson 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 Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on March 4, 2024.

Jayden Kusiek Wolf, age 24, was sentenced to 19 years and seven 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. Wolf will also need to register as a sex offender upon his release.

Wolf was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pleaded guilty on November 30, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between May 25, 2021, and July 7, 2021, when Wolf persuaded a minor female in Sioux Falls to send him sexually explicit images of herself. Wolf used the social media app Snapchat to induce the minor to send explicit photographs to him.

“This case underscores the dangers of social media in the hands of vulnerable youth,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “Here, Jayden Wolf used Snapchat to entice very young victims into sharing sexually explicit images of themselves. Their lives have been forever changed by his predatory behavior. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners at Homeland Security Investigations for uncovering Wolf’s criminal activity, and we hope this case will serve as a reminder to parents throughout South Dakota that they must be vigilant in monitoring their children’s use of social media.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) St. Paul special agents work tirelessly to combat child predators like Wolf,” said Jamie Holt, HSI St. Paul Special Agent in Charge. “We will continue to fight against the exploitation of children and support victims by providing critical resources and services. Well done to the HSI special agents in South Dakota and our law enforcement community partners for bringing Wolf to justice for his reprehensible crimes.”

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.

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

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child. The sentencing took place on March 4, 2024.

Christopher Wright, age 32, was sentenced to 20 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.

Wright was indicted for Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on December 11, 2023.

Wright’s mother regularly provided childcare for her friends’ children, including the victim. Wright would be present in the Rosebud home while the children were there. When the victim was approximately 8 or 9 years old, and the defendant was in his mid-twenties, the defendant engaged in sexual contact with the victim. During an interview, the defendant admitted that he knew it was wrong and further stated that he put the victim through “traumatizing stuff.”

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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.

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

The Departments of Justice and the Interior today released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crisis. The response recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States.

“These recommendations are an important and necessary step toward healing the trauma, pain, and loss that Tribal communities have endured for generations,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department is committed to working with our partners at the Department of the Interior to put an end to the missing or murdered Indigenous persons and human trafficking crisis. We are deeply grateful to the Not Invisible Act commissioners and the survivors and family members of victims who testified before the Commission about their heartbreaking experiences. Those testimonies and the Commission’s recommendations will continue to guide our work.”

“Addressing violent crimes against Indigenous peoples has long been underfunded and ignored, as a cause of intergenerational trauma that has affected our communities since colonization,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “Through historic efforts like the Not Invisible Act Commission, we’re identifying recommendations created by Indian Country, for Indian Country. This will ensure that epidemics like the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Crisis and Human Trafficking are addressed with the resources they demand.”

The Justice and Interior Departments’ response addresses the Commission’s areas of concern including:

• Law enforcement and investigative resources;
• Recruitment and retention of law enforcement;
• Data collection and reporting;
• Cross-jurisdictional coordination;
• Family and survivor resources;
• Improving public safety resources; and
• Alaska-specific issues.

The Not Invisible Act Commission was created by the Not Invisible Act, the enactment of which was led by Secretary Haaland during her time in Congress. The Commission included law enforcement, Tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of missing or murdered individuals, and survivors. As mandated by the Act, the Commission developed recommendations for federal government actions to take on focused topics to combat violent crime against Indigenous people and within Indian lands, and to address the epidemic of missing people, and the murder or trafficking of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples, as specified under the law.

Background on Efforts to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP)

At the 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit, President Biden signed Executive Order 14053 on Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People directing the Departments of the Interior, Justice, and Health and Human Services to work with Tribal Nations and partners to build safe and healthy Tribal communities and to support comprehensive law enforcement, prevention, intervention and support services. In March 2022, the President signed the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 into law, which built on advancements from previous reauthorizations and reinforced Tribal sovereignty by recognizing Tribes’ inherent authority to address the epidemic of violence within their lands and communities.

At the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the FBI announced an agreement to provide for the effective and efficient administration of criminal investigations in Indian Country. The agreement specified that the BIA Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) and the FBI would cooperate on investigations and share information and investigative reports as well as establish written guidelines outlining jurisdiction and investigative roles and responsibilities. The agreement also requires that all BIA, FBI, and Tribal law enforcement officers receive training regarding trauma-informed, culturally responsive investigative approaches. In addition, at the Tribal Nations Summit, the Attorney General announced the selection of the Justice Department’s first Native American Outreach Services Liaison, who works to ensure that victims of crimes have a voice in every step of the criminal justice process where the federal government has jurisdiction.

Attorney General Garland traveled to Alaska last August, meeting with Tribal leaders and representatives of Native Tribal organizations to discuss public safety challenges and partnerships with Tribal communities to combat the MMIP crisis.

Since the establishment of the NIAC in 2020, the Justice Department has made strides in implementing systems aimed at preventing new instances of MMIP, locating individuals who are reported missing, and, where a crime has occurred, investigating and prosecuting those responsible.

In June 2023, the Justice Department launched the MMIP Regional Outreach Program. This program places regional attorneys and coordinators at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the United States to help prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people, and it will work closely with the Native American Outreach Services Liaison to improve the Justice Department’s response to the MMIP crisis.

The Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime expanded the scope of allowable activities under its Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside grant program to permit Tribal communities to pay for costs related to generating awareness of individual missing persons cases involving American Indians and Alaska Native persons, supporting search efforts and coordination of Tribal, state, and federal responses to MMIP cases.

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 Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on March 4, 2024.

Matthew Richard Hainje, age 45, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by10 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Hainje was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 30, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incidents December 20, 2022, and February 13, 2023, when Hainje possessed thousands of digital files which contained photos and video recordings of child pornography. Hainje used his cellular phone to access the digital files of child pornography on the internet and saved them to his Google and Dropbox accounts.

This case was investigated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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.

Hainje 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 Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on March 4, 2024.

Joshua David Catron, age 34, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months 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. Catron will need to register as a sex offender upon his release.

Catron was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on September 29, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 3, 2023, when Catron, using his cellular phone to access the application MeetMe, attempted to persuade an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old female to distribute child pornography to him.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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.

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

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on March 4, 2024.

Garrett Goodlow, age 26, was sentenced to six years and eight months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Goodlow was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 30, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy beginning in February of 2022 when Goodlow knowingly and intentionally conspired and agreed with others to distribute methamphetamine in and around the central South Dakota area, including on the Lower Brule and Crow Creek reservations. Goodlow received distributable quantities of methamphetamine and re-distributed it. During the course of the conspiracy, a traffic stop occurred on February 28, 2023, where Goodlow was arrested after over a pound of methamphetamine was located in his vehicle. 

This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the FBI, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Goodlow 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 Wilbur Morrison, Jr., age 36, of Porcupine, South Dakota, of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor and one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury following a two-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on February 28, 2024.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 30 years up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life on supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Morrison was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2023.

Morrison sexually abused a juvenile female on the evening of January 12, 2023, near Porcupine. This abuse was witnessed by two juvenile males. As a result of sexual abuse committed by Morrison, syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, was transmitted to the juvenile female victim.

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.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has been set for May 17, 2024. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Charges in Multi-State Meth and Money Laundering Conspiracy

First of 24 Co-Conspirators Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that 24 individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. On February 5, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced the first of 24 co-conspirators, Marissa Apodaca, 36, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Apodaca was further ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. She pleaded guilty to the charge of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance on October 30, 2023.     

 Additional Defendants charged in the widespread conspiracy include:

1. Nathan Johnson, 38, of Denver, Colorado
2. Michele Johnson, 48, of Steen, Minnesota
3. Matthew Thomas, 51, of Denver, Colorado
4. Jesse Richmond, 50, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
5. Tony Hunter, a/k/a “Ox,” 52, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
6. Lance Brunsting, 55, of Denver, Colorado
7. Darrin Johnson, 42, of Denver, Colorado
8. Hanna Felling, 39, of St. Cloud, Minnesota
9. Nicholas Ganske, 44, of Tea, South Dakota
10. Donald Wise, 42, of Crooks, South Dakota
11. Jesus Salamo-Roche, 63, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
12. Misty Turner, 34, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
13. Jessica Knight, 45, of Presho, South Dakota
14. Christopher Spider, 44, of Presho, South Dakota
15. Sapphire Big Eagle, 29, of Lower Brule, South Dakota
16. Sunny Big Eagle, 48, of Lower Brule, South Dakota
17. Donald Wagner, 68, of Denver, Colorado
18. Donovan Pinkston, 37, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
19. Destiny Wilson, 34, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
20. Caitlin Schmidt, 29, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
21. Nicholas Sherard, 35, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
22. Cody Schmidt, 35, of Steen, Minnesota
23. Terry Rider, 48, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota

The grand jury also charged Nathan Johnson, Michele Johnson, Matthew Thomas, and Jesse Richmond with Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, and Tony Hunter with possession of a firearm by a felon. All individuals were indicted on August 8, 2023.

The Indictments allege that from an unknown date through July 26, 2023, the above-listed individuals conspired with others to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in South Dakota and elsewhere. The money laundering charges allege that from an unknown date to July 26, 2023, the four above-listed defendants conspired to conduct financial transactions which involved the proceeds from this drug conspiracy. The charges are merely accusations, and the individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Since Indictment, each defendant has appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy and pleaded not guilty.

Nathan Johnson, Michele Johnson, Matthew Thomas, Jesse Richmond, Tony Hunter, Nicholas Ganske, Donald Wise, Jesus Salamo-Roche, Donald Wagner, Nicholas Sherard, and Terry Rider all face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years upon conviction for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and a maximum of life in federal prison. All other defendants face a penalty upon conviction for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance of up to 20 years in federal prison. The money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

The investigation is being led by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from other law enforcement agencies such as: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Brookings Police Department, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Rock County (MN) Sheriff’s Office, Worthington (MN) Police Department, and Mitchell Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen.

###

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced three defendants convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Antoine Ray Thomas, 39, of San Francisco, California, was sentenced on February 12, 2024, to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Antoine was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute over 500 grams of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.   

Tyrin Thomas, Jr., 28, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was sentenced on February 5, 2024, to 27 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Tyrin was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute over 500 grams of Methamphetamine.

Lyric Christina Simon Tschetter, 26, also of Sioux Falls, was sentenced on February 9, 2024, to 12 years and two months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Lyric was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute over 400 grams of Fentanyl.

All three defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. Antoine Ray Thomas pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person on November 8, 2023; Tyrin Thomas, Jr. pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on October 27, 2023; and Lyric Christina Simon Tschetter pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl on November 21, 2023.

A fourth defendant, Stevie Thomas, was indicted in this conspiracy on September 12, 2023, on the charges of Conspiracy to Distribute 500 Grams or more of Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or more of Fentanyl, and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. He is currently set for trial in May of 2024.

These defendants were operating a large methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution organization in South Dakota. Their source was located in California who was supplied by sources in Mexico. This conspiracy involved fifty pounds of methamphetamine, hundreds of pills containing fentanyl, and several firearms and ammunition.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Ebert and Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

All three defendants 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 Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on February 5, 2024.

Tayler Alyssa Hanssen, 29, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Hanssen was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute at least 400 grams of Fentanyl by a federal grand jury in December of 2022. She pleaded guilty on October 30, 2023.

Hanssen obtained pills that contained fentanyl from co-conspirators and then distributed the pills to others in the Sioux Falls area. She was personally involved in the distribution of more than 6,000 pills containing fentanyl.

The co-conspirators, who were indicted with Hanssen, are Kaitlin Tierra Meis, who pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on January 5, 2024, and Lauren Gena Pourier, who pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on December 21, 2024. Meis is set to be sentenced on April 1, 2024, and Pourier is set to be sentenced on March 11, 2024. Both Meis and Pourier are from Sioux Falls. 

This case was investigated by the FBI, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Hanssen 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 Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on February 16, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Travene Tyrone Myers, age 42, was sentenced to seven years and eight months federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Myers was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 7, 2023.

The conviction stems from an incident on July 10, 2023, when law enforcement was dispatched to an address in Sioux Falls. When officers arrived, they located Myers in a vehicle and initiated a stop. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, an officer located a fully loaded, semi-automatic pistol under the driver seat, which Myers, a convicted felon, admitted to possessing. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Sioux Falls Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Myers 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 Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Second-Degree Murder, Robbery, Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence. The sentencing took place on February 6, 2024.

JT Myore, 37, was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $400 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

JT Myore was also indicted for Carjacking, Robbery, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He was found guilty of Robbery, Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence following a jury trial in federal district court on September 27, 2023. He was also indicted for Second-Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in August of 2021, and found guilty of Second-Degree Murder following a jury trial on November 9, 2023.

In August of 2019, Myore and a co-defendant brandished firearms in order to carjack a Ford Freestyle from another male in Pine Ridge. In May of 2021, Myore and his co-defendants forcibly assaulted a male in Pine Ridge in order to steal his Toyota Celica. The male sustained a broken arm and cuts and contusions to his head and face.

In May of 2021, Myore was at a party at a residence just outside of Pine Ridge. He was intoxicated and a verbal confrontation ensued among some of the party-goers and the male victim. The victim attempted to walk away, but before he could get away, Myore stabbed him to death with a knife.

These cases were investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Myore 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 Chicago, Illinois, man convicted of Passing Counterfeit U.S. Currency and Attempted Passing Counterfeit U.S. Currency. The sentencing took place on February 12, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Shavez Moody, age 28, was sentenced to one year and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $817.54 in restitution to retail stores where he had passed counterfeit currency and $200 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Moody was indicted for Passing Counterfeit U.S. Currency and Attempted Passing Counterfeit U.S. Currency by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 7, 2023.

Moody passed and attempted to pass counterfeit $100 bills at retail stores in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, South Dakota, knowing the bills were counterfeit and receiving goods and genuine currency as change. Moody did so intending to defraud the retailers.

This case was investigated by U.S. Secret Service, Aberdeen Police Department, Watertown Police Department, Sioux Falls Police Department, South Dakota Fusion Center, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.

Moody 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 Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Spokane, Washington, man convicted of Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. The sentencing took place on January 29, 2024.

Jason James Brickner, 44, was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Jason Brickner and Sonny Evenson were indicted for Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. Brickner pleaded guilty on October 4, 2024. His co-conspirator, Sonny Evenson, 39, also of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to the same charge on December 11, 2023, and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2024.

On June 13, 2022, Brickner was driving a vehicle in which Evenson was a passenger, when the men were pulled over for a traffic violation on I-90 in South Dakota by a South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper. Ultimately, the vehicle and Brickner were searched and the Trooper located more than 40 grams of fentanyl.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert prosecuted the case.

Brickner 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 South Dakota man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on February 9, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Wyatt White Eyes, age 27, was sentenced to 21 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.

White Eyes was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. He pleaded on November 29, 2023.

According to court documents, White Eyes knew he was required to register as a sex offender for 25 years following a 2020 conviction for Solicitation of a Minor in July of 2020. He left his residence in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and moved to Aurora, Missouri, on November 26, 2022.  He knowingly and intentionally did not register at any address after he left the Sioux Falls residence until he was arrested in Missouri on March 15, 2023.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.

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.

White Eyes 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 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 February 9, 2024, in Sioux Falls.

Israel Estrada, age 29, was sentenced to one year and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Estrada was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in May of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 16, 2023.

According to court documents, on March 3, 2023, Estrada knowingly possessed a semi-automatic pistol. At that time, he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition, as a result of his prior felony conviction.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Estrada 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 Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. The sentencing took place on January 29, 2024.

Brady Jon Sigler, 27, was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Sigler was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 17, 2023.

Sigler went to a UPS store with a package containing fentanyl in the form of approximately 950 pressed M30 pills. He sent the package containing the pills to another person on behalf of a third party in exchange for $100.

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

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on February 6, 2024.

James Dreamer, age 41, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by seven years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Dreamer will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Dreamer was indicted for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 6, 2023.

Dreamer was arrested as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators. Following hundreds of Facebook and text messages with a person Dreamer believed to be a 15-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent, Dreamer proceeded to negotiate a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Dreamer went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor, he was instead met by law enforcement agents and placed under arrest.

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 Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Dreamer 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 Pierre, South Dakota, man, convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on January 30, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

James Dubray, age 20, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Dubray was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty on September 27, 2023.

On September 5, 2022, Dubray was inside a vehicle when it was legally stopped by law enforcement. During the stop, Dubray fled from law enforcement. He was eventually located near an apartment complex and placed under arrest. During Dubray’s arrest, he knowingly had on his person a firearm magazine as well as methamphetamine. Additionally, law enforcement found a firearm approximately 10 yards from Dubray’s location, which Dubray has discarded while running from law enforcement. At the time, Dubray was an active unlawful user of methamphetamine while in possession of a firearm. Dubray had used methamphetamine earlier that same day and had been using methamphetamine daily well before he was arrested.

Dubray is prohibited from possessing firearms because he was addicted to a controlled substance at the time he possessed the firearm.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Dubray 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 that an Oglala, South Dakota, man was acquitted of three counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Kidnapping following a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota, on February 9, 2024.

Drace Dreaming Bear, age 21, was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023.

The investigation was conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe – Department of Public Safety. The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Minneapolis, Minnesota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on December 19, 2023.

Maureo Lemar Murdock, 30, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Murdock was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in May of 2023. He pleaded guilty on August 23, 2023.

Murdock obtained methamphetamine from co-conspirators in California and then distributed that methamphetamine to customers in South Dakota. He was personally involved in the distribution of at least 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Sioux Falls Police Department, and the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Murdock 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 Centerville, South Dakota, man, convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on February 9, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Robert W. Blakey, age 57, was sentenced to one year and nine months federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Blakey was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person on November 28, 2023.

On January 26, 2023, law enforcement was dispatched to a location in Centerville for a report of shots fired. While officers were speaking with Blakey on scene, they noticed a leather holster on Blakey’s left hip which contained a revolver that was loaded with four bullets.

Then, on May 23, 2023, law enforcement was dispatched to a 911 call reporting a male subject brandished gun near the Cockatoo bar in Yankton, South Dakota. Officers located the male and identified him as Blakey. Blakey had in his possession revolver loaded with five live rounds of ammo and one in the chamber.

Blakey is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he has eight prior felony convictions.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Centerville Police Department, and the Yankton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Blakey 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 Mojave, California, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The sentencing took place on January 29, 2024.

Alfred Sarco, a/k/a “Rambo Red,” a/k/a “Red,” 44, was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by ten years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Sarco was indicted, along with co-defendant Morningstar Kitto, for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. Sarco pleaded guilty on October 24, 2023. Kitto, of Rosholt, South Dakota, pleaded guilty on January 26, 2023, and was sentenced on January 30, 2023, to 10 years and six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

According to court documents, Sarco and Kitto conspired to sell methamphetamine, together they sold more than 2,275 grams (five pounds) of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent. Sarco also forfeited more than $9,500 in drug proceeds to the government.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert prosecuted the case.

Sarco and Kitto were both remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Salinas, California, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on February 5, 2024.

Jose Rolando Gonzalez, 56, was sentenced to 18 years and four months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Gonzalez was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. He pleaded guilty on November 6, 2023.

Gonzalez was arrested on September 25, 2022, when he was traveling through South Dakota and was approached by a police officer at a gas station in Brookings regarding traffic complaints about his driving. The officer ran his onsite police dog around the vehicle and the dog gave a positive indication to the presence of drugs. Law enforcement performed a search of the vehicle which revealed approximately 13.39 kilograms (approximately 30 pounds) of methamphetamine. Gonzalez was traveling from California, where his methamphetamine source was located, to Minnesota, with the intention of distributing the methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Brookings Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Vale, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, and Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on February 5, 2024.

Timothy Scott White, 43, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for the Sexual Exploitation charge, 45 years in federal prison for the Attempted Enticement of a Minor charge, and 20 years in federal prison on the Receipt of Child Pornography charge, all to run concurrent. Additionally, White was sentenced to 10 years of supervised released, and order to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $28,000 in restitution. White will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

White was indicted for Production of Child Pornography by a Parent by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 3, 2023.

The convictions stem from White producing child pornography of his minor daughter between January of 2020 and December of 2021. Evidence showed White also distributed hundreds of images of child pornography of other victims, as well as received thousands of images and videos.  

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 Division of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI, and the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

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

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on February 1, 2024.

Meteo Running Enemy, age 19, was sentenced to four 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.

Running Enemy was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 8, 2023.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in May of 2023 in St. Francis, wherein Running Enemy engaged in a sexual act with a minor who had attained the age of 12 years but had not attained the age of 16 years.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.   

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 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.

Running Enemy 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 Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The sentencing took place on January 29, 2024.

Nathan James Thompson, 40, was sentenced to  four years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Thompson was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person (Felon) by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 6, 2023.

According to court documents, Thompson was a driving a vehicle in Sioux Falls on December 25, 2022, and was arrested following a traffic violation. Law enforcement found a firearm in Thompson’s pocket. Thompson had previously been convicted of a felony for Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, so was aware he was not allowed to possess firearms.

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 Sioux Falls Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert prosecuted the case.

Thompson 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 Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. The sentencing took place on February 7, 2024.

Sam Boyd, 35, was sentenced to 23 1/3 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Boyd was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a federal grand jury in February of 2022. He was convicted at a federal jury trial in November of 2023.

In the fall of 2020, Boyd began obtaining methamphetamine from a co-conspirator in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The methamphetamine was both mailed or transported to western South Dakota on multiple occasions by Boyd and his co-conspirators. Boyd then distributed the methamphetamine to others for use and to further distribute. Throughout the conspiracy, Boyd routinely possessed multiple firearms and ammunition, despite being prohibited from doing so due to a prior felony conviction.

This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and 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.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. 

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on February 5, 2024.

James W. Williams, 28, was sentenced to four 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. Williams will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Williams was indicted for Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography by a federal grand jury in May of 2021. He pleaded guilty on November 3, 2023.

Williams was federally indicted following a Cybertip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children in relation to suspected child pornography on Instagram. The Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce traced the account back to Williams and interviewed Williams. Williams ultimately admitted to receiving the child pornography via Instagram. A forensic examination of Williams’ phone revealed images and videos of child sexual abuse material that Williams received between November of 2019 and December of 2020.

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 Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on February 6, 2024.

Burton Dave Chief, Jr., 35, was sentenced to 11 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. Chief will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Chief was indicted for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, and Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 6, 2023.

Chief was arrested as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators. Following multiple chats and sexually explicit text messages with a person Chief believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent, Chief proceeded to negotiate a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. 

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 Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Chief 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 Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Parmelee, South Dakota, man convicted following two separate jury trials of Possession of Unregistered Firearm, Possession of Firearm by a Prohibited Person, and Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer. The sentencings took place on February 1, 2024.

Jeremy Duane Young, age 29, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $300.

Young was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023 on the firearm offenses and in April of 2023 on the assault offense.   

The firearm conviction stemmed from an incident in May of 2022 in the Soldier Creek community within the Rosebud Reservation. Young, a previously convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms, was found in possession of a short-barrel 12-gauge shotgun, which was found after Young came into contact with law enforcement following a traffic stop. The short shotgun was not registered to Young in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law. As part of the investigation, Young admitted to law enforcement that he and another individual were on their way to Sioux Falls on a drug run to pick up methamphetamine.

The assault conviction stemmed from an incident in March of 2023, in the Soldier Creek community within the Rosebud Reservation, when Young assaulted a Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Officer. The officer had been called to the community over a concern of a running vehicle blocking the roadway, and determined Young was passed out in the driver’s seat. When the officer contacted Young to get out of the vehicle, Young refused to exit, became argumentative, combative, and engaged in a physical struggle with the officer.  Young then punched the officer in the face and fled on foot. Young was located and arrested an hour later.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Brian Murphy 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.

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

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Nanuet, New York, man convicted of Failure to Withhold, Properly Account For, and Pay Over Tax. The sentencing took place on February 7, 2024.

Asher Wagh, 48, was sentenced to 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 and $273,766.98 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Wagh was indicted on ten counts of Failure to Withhold, Properly Account For, and Pay Over Tax by a federal grand jury in February of 2021. He pleaded guilty on October 16, 2023.

Between 2015 and 2017, Wagh was a co-owner and the sole manager of Captech International LLC, an ammunition component manufacturing company located in Rapid City, South Dakota. As the sole manager, Wagh was responsible for withholding, accounting for, and paying over federal payroll taxes, including federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes. Between 2015 and 2017, Wagh withheld the payroll taxes from employees’ paychecks and then willingly failed to pay over the taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. Thereafter, Wagh used at least a portion of the withholdings for his own personal use. In total, Wagh failed to pay over to the IRS more than $273,000.00. 

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS – Alison J. Ramsdell, United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota, has issued the following statement on the death of Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok:

"It is with profound sadness that we mourn the tragic loss of Ken Prorok, Chief Deputy for the Moody County Sheriff’s Office, who died in the line of duty on February 2, 2024.

Chief Deputy Prorok was a devoted and proud family man. He was an enthusiastic role model and a pillar of his community. As an officer, Chief Deputy Prorok exhibited the highest levels of professionalism. He was firmly committed to the cause of justice and displayed unwavering dedication to the safety of the communities he was charged with protecting, even to his last breath. The men and women of the U.S. Department of Justice stand with the entire law enforcement community as we honor the life of Chief Deputy Ken Prorok and share in the sorrow of this tragic loss. Our thoughts are with Chief Deputy Prorok’s family, friends, colleagues, and community.”

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 Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on January 30, 2024.

Robert Walter White, age 36, was sentenced to 12 months and a day 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.

White was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2023. He pleaded guilty on September 27, 2023.

The conviction stems from White failing to register as a sex offender as required by federal law between February 14, 2023, and April 19, 2023. White had previously been convicted of a sex offense in federal court which requires him to register for the rest of his life.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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.

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

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on January 22, 2024.

Eugene Featherman, age 35, was sentenced to 22 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.

Featherman was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 23, 2023.

Featherman was previously convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota. As a result of this conviction, he is required to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, which includes registering within three business days of any change in residence, employment, or student status. In November of 2022, Featherman relocated from Rapid City to Sioux Falls and properly registered with the Sioux Falls Police Department. Investigation revealed that beginning January 25, 2023, Featherman was no longer staying at his registered address. His whereabouts were unknown until April 27, 2023, when he was arrested in Rapid City.

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 and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.

Featherman 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 Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on January 30, 2024.

Cole Bogen Bettin, age 28, was sentenced to six 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. Bettin will also need to register as a sex offender upon his release.

Bettin was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on September 27, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between March 5, 2023, and March 6, 2023, when Bettin, using his cellular phone to access the application Grindr, attempted to persuade an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old male to distribute child pornography to him.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the SD Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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.

Bettin 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 Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on January 29, 2024.

Jonah Earl Severson, 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. Severson will be required to register as a sex offender once he is released from federal prison.

Severson was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 19, 2023. 

The conviction stemmed from incidents between March 6, 2023, and March 15, 2023, when Severson, using his cellular phone to access the social media application MeetMe, attempted to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old female to engage in sexual activity.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the SD Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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.

Severson 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 an Oglala, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on January 25, 2024.

Bradley Two Eagle, 24, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, follow by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Two Eagle was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 23, 2023.

The conviction stems from Two Eagle, while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance, knowingly being in possession of a Taurus International 9 mm caliber semi-automatic handgun in Rapid City in June of 2023.

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.

Two Eagle 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 Madison, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on January 30, 2024.

Treton Anderson, age 26, was sentenced to 15 years and six 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. Anderson will also need to register as a sex offender upon his release.

Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on October 2, 2023.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between December 18, 2021, and June 29, 2022, when Anderson, using his cellular phone to access the internet, and using his Kik account, distributed digital files containing child pornography.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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.

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