District of South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Elizabethtown, Kentucky, man convicted of Possession of Child Pornography was sentenced on October 25, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Michael Ray Wilkes, 64, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Wilkes was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and a $5,000 special assessment to the Victims of Trafficking Fund. Wilkes will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Wilkes was indicted for Transportation of Child Pornography, Receipt of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pleaded guilty on August 1, 2022.

Wilkes was arrested and federally indicted following an online investigation on the BitTorrent networks looking for offenders sharing child pornography. Videos located were linked to Wilkes IP address. Forensic examination of Wilkes’ devices found images of child pornography, which he knowingly downloaded off the BitTorrent networks.

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

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that four Houston, Texas- based men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Bank Larceny and Transportation of Stolen Property or Money.

Kytorrion Young, age 30, Keivon Jones, age 25, Kendrick Kennedy, age 23, and Alton Himes, age 24, were indicted in September of 2022. Young, Kennedy, and Himes were arrested in Virginia and appeared there before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on October 7, 2022, pleading not guilty to the Indictment. Jones was arrested in Texas and appeared there before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on October 25, 2022, pleading not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for each count is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution and forfeiture may also be ordered.

According to the Indictment, in early December of 2021, Young, Jones, Kennedy, and Himes took and carried away money exceeding $1,000 in value belonging to and in the care, custody, control, management, and possession of the Dakotaland Federal Credit Union. Dakotaland Federal Credit Union’s deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Administration. After the larceny, the defendants then transported the stolen money across state lines. 

The charges are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case. 

Each defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service for transport to and for further court appearance in the District of South Dakota. A trial date has not been set.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Watertown, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for 13 counts of Wire Fraud.

Reva Plunkett, age 36, was indicted in October of 2022. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 20, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and up to $1,300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about January 2015 and continuing through February 2022, Reva Plunkett, who was the bookkeeper for Doug’s Anchor Marine, Inc., and for Brotherhood Arms, businesses located in Watertown, South Dakota, devised and intended to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and to obtain money and property from others by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.

In Plunkett’s capacity as bookkeeper for each business, she was responsible for managing and reconciling various business accounts. Plunkett’s duties included writing checks to pay for business expenses, such as payroll and vendor payments.

On multiple occasions during the relevant time periods, Plunkett falsely and fraudulently wrote checks payable to herself that were drawn on business accounts belonging to Doug’s Anchor Marine, Inc. and Brotherhood Arms. These checks were not for her wages or salary, nor were they for any other legitimate purpose. Plunkett also deposited the checks into her account and used the funds for her own purposes. Plunkett disguised her theft by falsely and fraudulently recording in the businesses’ accounting system that the checks were payable to vendors, which made the checks appear to be legitimate business expenses. She also falsely and fraudulently adjusted the business inventory to make it appear that the money was actually spent on products for the businesses.  

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

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.   

Plunkett was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Yankton, South Dakota man convicted of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance was sentenced on October 17, 2022, by District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Ronald D. Minniefield, a/k/a “Zareef Al-amin,” a/k/a “Chicago,” a/k/a “Black,” a/k/a “King,” a/k/a “KO,” 52, was sentenced to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Minniefield was indicted for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance by a federal grand jury in June of 2021. He pleaded guilty on April 15, 2022.

Minniefield and his co-conspirators knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, with others known and unknown, to knowingly and intentionally distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.

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

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender.

Gary Lewis Halfe, a/k/a Gary Redstone, age 66, was indicted in August of 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on October 19, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, a minimum of five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Between February 2020 and May 2020, in Rapid City, Halfe failed to register as a sex offender as required of him under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

The charge is merely an accusation and Halfe is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the United States Marshal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is prosecuting the case. 

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Mission, South Dakota man convicted of Escape from Custody was sentenced on October 14, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.

Steven Burning Breast, 26, was sentenced to four months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Steven Burning Breast was indicted for Escape from Custody by a federal grand jury in August 2022. He pleaded guilty on September 2, 2022.

Burning Breast was in Bureau of Prisons custody serving a sentence for Involuntary Manslaughter. He was placed at the Community Education Center in Rapid City to finish serving his sentence as part of a re-entry process. He walked away from the facility without permission and was found in Rapid City a few days later.  His sentence in this case will be served consecutively to the time remaining on his Involuntary Manslaughter sentence.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

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

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against the owners and operators of the Grand Gateway Hotel, and the Cheers Sports Lounge and Casino, a sports bar that operates within the hotel, located in Rapid City, South Dakota. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants discriminated against Native American customers in violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin in places of public accommodation, such as hotels and other places of entertainment. The suit is brought against the corporate owner, Retsel Corporation, and two of the company’s directors, Connie Uhre and her son, Nicholas Uhre.

“Policies prohibiting Native Americans from accessing public establishments are both racially discriminatory and unlawful,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously protect the rights of all people to go about their daily lives free from discrimination at hotels, restaurants, and other public accommodations around the country.”

“Restricting access to a hotel based on a person’s race is prohibited by federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell for the District of South Dakota. “At the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we are called to ensure that individuals are treated equally at public accommodations in South Dakota. We are committed to protecting that fundamental right for Native Americans.”

The lawsuit, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, alleges that, since at least March 20, the Retsel Corporation, Connie Uhre and Nicholas Uhre discriminated against Native American customers through policies and practices that denied Native Americans the full and equal enjoyment of access to the services, accommodations and privileges at the Grand Gateway Hotel and the Cheers Sports Lounge and Casino.

Specifically, the complaint alleges that on March 20, Connie Uhre told other Rapid City hotel owners and managers that she did “not want to allow Natives on property. . . . The problem is we do not know the nice ones from the bad natives…so we just have to say no to them!” That same day, the complaint alleges, Ms. Uhre posted a statement in a comment thread from her Facebook account announcing that “we will no longer allow any Native American [sic]” in the Grand Gateway or in the Cheers Sports Lounge and Casino. The complaint further alleges that on at least two occasions on March 21 and March 22,  respectively, the defendants turned away Native Americans who sought to book a room in the Grand Gateway. 

Under Title II, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division can obtain injunctive relief that changes policies and practices to remedy the discriminatory conduct. Title II does not authorize the division to obtain monetary damages for customers who are victims of discrimination. 

More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals may report discrimination in places of public accommodation that violates Title II by calling the Justice Department at 1-833-591-0291, or submitting a report online.

The complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct, and the allegations must be proven in federal court.

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.

Anthony Lawrence Collins, Sr., age 39, was indicted in October of 2022.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 13, 2022 and pleaded not guilty.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges Collins unlawfully possessed a firearm on March 12, 2021 and on July 23, 2022.  Both incidents occurred in Dewey County, South Dakota.   

These charges are merely accusations and Collins is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem is prosecuting the case.   

Collins has been remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further hearing

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man was acquitted of Sexual Abuse as a result of a federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota, on October 14, 2022.

Buddy Robert Poor Bear, a/k/a Bud Poor Bear, age 56, was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2021.

The charge related to an alleged incident that occurred on April 15, 2021, in Todd County, South Dakota.

The investigation was conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on October 11, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Jordan Traversie, 32, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Traversie was indicted for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on June 24, 2022.

Traversie was previously convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. As a result of this conviction, Traversie is required to register his address in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.  Traversie was living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and failed to properly register his address as required.

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

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Adrian Fast Dog, age 42, was indicted in August of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on October 14, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about between June 21, 2022, and July 26, 2022, in the District of South Dakota, Adrian Fast Dog, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of a conviction under federal law, knowingly failed to register and update his registration.

The charge is merely an accusation and Fast Dog is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service and Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler is prosecuting the case. 

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

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Travis Maho, age 34, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on October 7, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, lifetime supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

In June of 2022, in Rapid City, Maho, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, possessed several types of firearm ammunition as well as methamphetamine, which was found after Maho came into contact with law enforcement.

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.

The charges are merely an accusation and Maho is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is prosecuting the case. 

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

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Yankton, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of Tampering with Consumer Products and two counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception, and Subterfuge.

Lisa Merrigan, age 54, was indicted in October of 2022. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on October 6, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Counts one and two of the Indictment allege that on August 23, 2021, and September 7, 2021, Merrigan, who was working as a registered nurse in a hospital, tampered with vials of fentanyl citrate for injection stored inside the hospital’s Omnicell machine by removing the fentanyl citrate from the vials and replacing them with another liquid, knowing that the diluted fentanyl citrate could be dispensed to patients at the hospital.

Counts three and four of the Indictment allege that on August 23, 2021, and September 7, 2021, Merrigan knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained fentanyl citrate, a Schedule II controlled substance, for injections by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.   

Merrigan was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Wakonda, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for one count of Theft in Connection with Health Care and three counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception, and Subterfuge.

Cody Carstensen, age 46, was indicted in October of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on October 5, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

Count one of the Indictment alleges that between June 2019 and February 2022, Carstensen knowingly and willfully embezzled, stole, and converted without authority to the use of any person other than the rightful owner hydrocodone, oxymorphone, oxycontin, oxycodone, and morphine valued at more than $100.

Count two of the Indictment alleges that between June 13, 2020, and May 22, 2021, Carstensen knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge.

Count three of the Indictment alleges that between July 22, 2020, and December 15, 2020, Carstensen knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained morphine, a Schedule II controlled substance, by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge.

Count four of the Indictment alleges that between April 2, 2020, and December 16, 2021, Carstensen knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge.

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

The investigation is being conducted by DEA and DCI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.   

Carstensen was released on bond pending trial which has been set for December 13, 2022.

 

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SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Making False Statements in Connection with the Purchases of Firearms was sentenced on September 28, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol.

Jayden Guenther, age 20, was sentenced to five years of probation on each count to run concurrently and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Guenther was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pled guilty on July 27, 2022.

The conviction stemmed from incidents on May 6, 2021 and again on August 27, 2021, when Guenther asked two individuals to purchase two new Glock 9mm handguns for him.  Guenther was not old enough to purchase the pistols, so he paid both individuals to purchase the guns for him.

Each firearm had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce before Guenther possessed them. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper 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.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm.

Marshall Gibbons, age 22, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on October 5, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Between January 2021 and January 2022, in Rapid City, Gibbons, while conspiring to distribute marijuana, was in possession of a Glock 9mm pistol.  Gibbons also made a false written statement while trying to purchase another firearm.

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.

The charges are merely an accusation and Gibbons is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is prosecuting the case. 

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

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Dustin Huseby, age 24, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on October 5, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

In May of 2022, in Rapid City, Huseby, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, possessed a Smith & Wesson, model M&P 9 M2.0, 9x19mm Luger caliber, which was found after Huseby came into contact with law enforcement.

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.

The charge is merely an accusation and Huseby is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is prosecuting the case. 

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Greenwood, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Noah One Star, age 62, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on October 4, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between March 30, 2021, and April 3, 2021, One Star, who had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding a year, knowingly possessed a High Standard Sporting Firearms, model Sentinel Mark IV, .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) caliber, double-action revolver, bearing serial number S31420 and rounds of Western brand .22 WMR ammunition. All had previously been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce.

The charge is merely an accusation and One Star is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the Yankton Sioux Law Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.   

One Star was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

SIOUX FALLS – The Justice Department has announced the results of its efforts over the past year to protect older adults from fraud and exploitation. During the past year, the Department and its law enforcement partners tackled matters that ranged from mass-marketing scams that impacted thousands of victims to bad actors scamming their neighbors. Substantial efforts were also made over the last year to return money to fraud victims. This week, the Department also announced it is expanding its Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force to amplify efforts to combat scams originating overseas.

“We are intensifying our efforts nationwide to protect older adults, including by more than tripling the number of U.S. Attorneys’ offices participating in our Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force dedicated to disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting foreign-based fraud schemes that target American seniors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This expansion builds on the Justice Department’s existing work to hold accountable those who steal funds from older adults, including by returning those funds to the victims where possible.”

“Crimes that target older Americans are among the most deplorable. We take very seriously any allegations that older South Dakotans have been targeted. These crimes take many forms, often through mass-marketing scams, lottery schemes, or other false claims designed to gain access to financial accounts,” South Dakota U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell said. “Our office, in conjunction with our partner investigating agencies, is committed to finding these criminals and bringing them to justice.”  

During the past year, Department personnel and its law enforcement partners pursued approximately 260 cases involving more than 600 defendants across the nation, both bringing new cases and advancing those previously charged.

This past year, the South Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office has prosecuted and civilly pursued various cases in which older Americans were targeted. In one, Nathan Peachey and John Rick Winer were prosecuted along with several co-conspirators for a sophisticated scheme that robbed victims of their life savings, retirement income, and other funds. They lied to their victims with claims that they were investing funds that were to be used for charitable and humanitarian projects. Instead, the money was stolen and laundered through a network of entities and banks around the world. Peachey was sentenced to 25 years, and Winer was sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison. They were also ordered to pay approximately $11 million in restitution.

In another case, the South Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Robert “Larry” Lytle and two conspirators for marketing and selling fraudulent medical devices, often to older Americans, falsely promising that they were cure-alls for virtually every ailment. Lytle was sentenced to 12 years, Ronald D. Weir, Jr., was sentenced to 2 years, and Irina Kossovskaia was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison. They were ordered to pay millions in restitution to hundreds of victims.  Those prison sentences were handed down in 2018, and the South Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office has continued to vigorously pursue collection efforts. In recent months, $1,222,075 was received from various members of Lytle’s family after litigation commenced targeting assets that were transferred by Lytle to his family or their business entities. To date, $2,305,893.52 has been recovered to repay victims.    

As part of the South Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office’s elder fraud efforts, it engages in outreach to the community and industry to raise awareness about scams and exploitation and preventing victimization.

Nationally, the Department has highlighted three other efforts: the expansion of the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, success in returning money to victims, and efforts to combat grandparent scams. With regard to the Department’s continuing efforts to protect older adults and bring perpetrators of fraud schemes to justice, the Department is expanding the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force by adding 14 new U.S. Attorney’s Offices to the effort. Expansion of the Strike Force will help to coordinate the Department’s ongoing efforts to combat largest and most harmful fraud schemes that target or disproportionately impact older adults.

In the past year, the Department hs notified over 550,000 people that they may be eligible for remission payments. Notifications were made to consumers whose information was sold by one of three data companies prosecuted by the Department and were later victims of “sweepstakes” or “astrology” solicitations that falsely promised prizes or individualized services in return for a fee. More than 150,000 of those victims cashed checks totaling $52 million, and thousands more are eligible to receive checks. Also notified were consumers who paid fraudsters perpetrating person-in-need scams and job scams via Western Union. In the past year, the Department has identified and contacted over 300,000 consumers who may be eligible for remission. Since March of 2020 more than 148,000 victims have received more than $366 million as a result of a 2017 criminal resolution with Western Union for the company’s willful failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and its aiding and abetting of wire fraud.

Over the past year, the Department pursued cases against the perpetrators of “grandparent scams,” otherwise known as “person-in-need scams.” These scams typically begin when a fraudster, often based overseas, contacts an older adult and poses as either a grandchild, other family member, or someone calling on behalf of a family member. Call recipients are told that their family member is in jeopardy and is urgently in need of money. When recently sentencing one of eight perpetrators of a grandparent scam indicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal judge described such scams “heartbreakingly evil.” The Department is working with government partners and others to raise awareness about these schemes.   

Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting or connect them with agencies, and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. [ET]. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov.

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Escape from Custody was sentenced on September 27, 2022, by 8th Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes, sitting in U.S. District Court.

James Charger, 25, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Charger was indicted for Escape from Custody by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on June 21, 2022

Charger was in Bureau of Prisons custody serving a sentence for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. He was placed at the Community Education Center in Rapid City to finish serving his sentence as part of a re-entry process. He walked away and was found outside of Rapid City a few weeks later.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

William Scott, age 31, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on October 3, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

In February of 2022, at Rapid City, Scott, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, did knowingly possess an Iberia Firearms Incorporated, Hi-Point brand name, model JCP, .40 Smith & Wesson caliber, semi-automatic pistol, which was found after Scott came into contact with law enforcement.

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.

The charge is merely an accusation and Scott is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by ATF and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is prosecuting the case. 

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

 

 

 

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Box Elder, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Mario Moran, age 19, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on October 3, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

In July of 2022, near Sturgis, South Dakota, Moran, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, possessed a Hi-Point, model CF380, .380 AUTO caliber, semi-automatic pistol, which was found after Moran came into contact with law enforcement.

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.

The charge is merely an accusation and Moran is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the ATF and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is prosecuting the case. 

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

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Burgaw, North Carolina, man convicted of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Attempts to Interfere with Administration of Internal Revenue Laws was sentenced on September 26, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol.

Randy L. Garriss, age 68, was sentenced to three years on Count one, and 12 months and a day on Count two, in federal prison, to be served concurrently. Garriss was also sentenced to three years of supervised release on Count one and one year of supervised release on Count two, also to be served concurrently. A special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund was ordered in the amount of $200.

Garriss was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2017. A jury trial in June of 2022 convicted Garriss on both Counts.

The conviction stemmed from incidents beginning in April of 2004 when Theodore Nelson and his son, Steven Nelson, created over 25 sham trusts to hide their income and assets from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), thus evading the assessment and payment of federal income taxes. The Nelsons used forms created by Garriss’ co-defendant Loren Brown. The trusts were designed, in part, to make it difficult for the IRS to determine the Nelsons’ federal income tax liability. The Nelsons appointed John Sheridan and Loren Brown as trustees and successor trustees for the trusts until Sheridan’s death in 2011. Garriss then took over after Sheridan passed away. In this manner, the Nelsons were able to put many layers between themselves and their assets/income. Garriss’ and Brown’s agreement to act as successor trustees helped the Nelsons hide their income and assets from the IRS. 

The Nelsons reside in Letcher, South Dakota. Garriss and Brown acted as signors for South Dakota bank accounts associated with the Nelson trusts and performed most of their actions on behalf of the Nelsons’ tax evasion in South Dakota.

Among other acts, Garriss and Brown corruptly endeavored to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws by mailing to the IRS a Protest and Demand for Administrative Review on behalf of the Nelsons. Garriss signed on his own behalf and that of Brown as trustees for Steve Nelson and the Nelsons’ trusts. The letter was received by the IRS on January 5, 2016.

This case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.

Garriss has been allowed to self-report by October 17, 2022.

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Marshall, Minnesota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on September 26, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Jeremy Allan Anspach, age 46, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by life on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Anspach was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in September of 2021. He pleaded guilty on June 27, 2022.

Anspach knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, with others, to knowingly and intentionally distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine in the state of South Dakota and elsewhere. During his involvement in this conspiracy, he assisted in the transportation of multiple pounds of methamphetamine from Arizona, California, and other states, into South Dakota. Anspach sold multiple of ounces of methamphetamine to undercover agents during this investigation.  

This case was investigated by the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Brown-Lyon-Redwood-Renville Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Second Degree Murder.

Lucy Medicine Eagle, age 31, was indicted in June of 2022. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollman on September 27, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on March 28, 2022, at Rosebud, in Todd County, South Dakota, Medicine Eagle killed a man by assaulting him and striking him in the head.

The charge is merely an accusation and Medicine Eagle is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler is prosecuting the case. 

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on September 12, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.

Amber Ashlin, age 33, was sentenced to 17 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.

Ashlin was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2022 and pleaded guilty in June of 2022. The conviction stems from Ashlin conspiring with others to distribute multiple pounds of methamphetamine in and around Rapid City between January 2018 and December 2021.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

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

 

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Larceny.

Dustin Gallegos, Jr., age 25, was indicted in May of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on September 27, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to five years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on March 7, 2022, in Todd County, South Dakota, Gallegos stole personal property with a value of more than $1,000.

The charge is merely an accusation and Gallegos is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that William Bear Robe, age 39, of Chadron, Nebraska, was found guilty of Abusive Sexual Contact following a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on September 22, 2022.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in custody, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release. 

The conviction stems from Bear Robe engaging in sexual contact with a child under the age of 12 in 2012 at Oglala, South Dakota.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date will 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 a Bullhead, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on September 26, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Eric Paul Archambault, age 33, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Archambault was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in October of 2021. He pleaded guilty on June 27, 2022.

Between 2018 and 2020, Archambault knowingly conspired with others to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook  prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Box Elder, South Dakota woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on September 7, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.

Alexandria Warner, 29, was sentenced to 10 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.

Alexandria Warner was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in February of 2022. She pleaded guilty on June 17, 2022.

Warner assisted a co-conspirator in distributing between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine upon its arrival in the Rapid City area. The methamphetamine was distributed to others for use and further distribution. Warner also collected money for methamphetamine that she provided to her co-conspirator, who is currently awaiting trial.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

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

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a St. Francis, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on September 23, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Iverina Crow Eagle, 44, was sentenced to seven years and six months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Crow Eagle was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in October of 2020. She pleaded guilty to the offense on June 2, 2022.

From January 2018 to February 2021, Crow Eagle was involved in a conspiracy with several other individuals to distribute methamphetamine on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Over 500 grams of methamphetamine was distributed by Crow Eagle during the course of the conspiracy.

This case was investigated by Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that two South Dakota women have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Firearm charges.

Sarah Jahner Clifford, of Gettysburg, South Dakota, age 44, was indicted in September of 2022.  She appeared before Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 21, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

Tara Roberts, of Ridgeview, South Dakota, age 45, was indicted in September of 2022.  She appeared before Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 19, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody, and/or a $10,000,000 fine, lifetime of supervised release, and $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that the two women were involved in a conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine in and around central South Dakota. The Indictment further alleges that Jahner-Clifford, who is a prohibited person, was illegally in possession of two firearms, including a short-barrel shotgun.

The charges are merely an accusation and Jahner-Clifford and Roberts are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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.

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. 

Roberts was released on bond pending trial.  Jahner-Clifford was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.  A trial date has been sent for November 15, 2022.

 

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments.

Cameron Terrill Hardiman, age 42, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 21, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Superseding Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to up to 30 years in custody for Bank Fraud Conspiracy, 20 years in custody for Money Laundering Conspiracy, and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution and forfeiture may also be ordered.

According to the Superseding Indictment, in 2020 and continuing until April 2022, Hardiman and others conspired and agreed to knowingly conduct and attempt to conduct bank fraud and financial transactions affecting interstate commerce. Specifically, Hardiman and others knowingly conspired to defraud multiple financial institutions throughout the Sioux Falls area and elsewhere and to obtain funds by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. 

After obtaining funds through fraud, it is alleged that Hardiman and others engaged in depositing, transferring, wiring, and withdrawing the funds at financial institutions.  It is alleged they knew the transactions were designed in whole or in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of the proceeds of the fraud scheme and that the funds involved represented the proceeds of unlawful activity.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the following agencies: IRS Criminal Investigation; DHS – HSI; SFPD; SD Highway Patrol; and USPS.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case. 

Hardiman was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date of November 29, 2022, has been set. 

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Benjamen T. Flute, a/k/a Benjamin T. Flute, age 43, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 20, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Flute was convicted of Second Degree Rape in December of 2007. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. It is alleged that between August 12, 2022, and August 25, 2022, Flute, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under State Law, and having traveled in interstate commerce, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.

The charge is merely an accusation and Flute is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Roy Brushbreaker, III, age 28, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 20, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Brushbreaker was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in April 2019. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. It is alleged that between July 20, 2022, and August 19, 2022, Brushbreaker a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.

The charge is merely an accusation and Brushbreaker is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.

Cody Dewell, age 33, was indicted in July of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 20, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on May 25, 2022, Dewell, being a convicted felon and an unlawful user of a controlled substance, knowingly possessed a firearm.

The charge is merely an accusation and Dewell is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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.

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.   

Dewell was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Mission, South Dakota man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, and Failure to Appear was sentenced on September 23, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Blade Ryan Marshall,  25, was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Marshall was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm by a federal grand jury in October of 2020. Marshall was released on bond and then failed to appear for his jury trial in January of 2022. Marshall was indicted for Failure to Appear by a federal grand jury in February 2022. He pleaded guilty to all the offenses on June 21, 2022.

From January 2017 to March 2018, Marshall was involved in a conspiracy with at least seven other individuals to distribute cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs Marshall received in Colorado to individuals on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. As part of that conspiracy Marshall possessed firearms. Being a drug user, Marshall was prohibited from possessing 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 Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Frank White Thunder, age 35, was indicted in September of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 20, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

White Thunder was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in April 2008. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. It is alleged that between April 12, 2022, and August 13, 2022, White Thunder, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.

The charge is merely an accusation and White Thunder is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

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

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on September 22, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Melvin Semon, age 55, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Semon was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022.  He pleaded guilty on June 16, 2022.

On the evening of January 3, 2022, Semon became angry with the victim in their Eagle Butte home. He hit her and threw her against the kitchen chairs or table, breaking her right arm. Rather than assisting her, he departed. Responding officers found the victim sitting on the kitchen floor, crying and clutching her right arm. She required extensive reconstructive surgery to reset the bone and will likely never regain full function of her arm.

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

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

 

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Dominic Houston, age 24, was indicted in September of 2022.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 20, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on August 17, 2022, Houston, being a convicted felon, knowingly possessed a firearm.

The charge is merely an accusation and Houston is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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.

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.   

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering was sentenced on July 25, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Canbie Ryan Thompson, age 45, was sentenced to 400 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Thompson was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering by a federal grand jury in July of 2021.  He pleaded guilty on May 5, 2022.

From December 2020 until on or about March 2021, Thompson reached an agreement to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine in the District of South Dakota and elsewhere.  On March 23, 2021, Thompson was transporting 4,989 grams of methamphetamine and was lawfully stopped and searched by police.  During the search the police located and seized the 4,989 grams of methamphetamine.  Thompson was also responsible for transporting and delivering other quantities of methamphetamine for further distribution.

Additionally, beginning in January of 2018, Thompson intentionally conspired to knowingly conduct and attempt to conduct financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce, to wit: depositing U.S Currency at financial institutions and conducting wire/money transfers, which involved the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity, that is, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, with the intent to promote the carrying on of the unlawful activity, and that while conducting and attempting to conduct such financial transactions knew that the property involved in the financial transactions represented the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity.  In that manner, Thompson, along with his co-conspirators, wired funds derived from the sale of methamphetamine by utilizing various financial institutions on behalf of the conspiracy.  Thompson had bulk currency deposited into his Wells Fargo account, wired/sent thousands of dollars to co-conspirators, and sent money across state lines from South Dakota to California.  Thompson attempted to conceal the fact that the money was acquired from the sale of methamphetamine.

Thompson had an obstruction of justice sentencing enhancement because after being indicted, he obtained discovery information from the case and disseminated it to an unauthorized individual.  The dissemination of that discovery impeded the investigation and prosecution of the case by making the name of a cooperating witness public.

Thompson was previously convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance in South Dakota in 2010, for which he was sentenced to 63 months. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, IRS Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Florida man convicted of Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds, was sentenced on September 12, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Sven Schreiber, age 54, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a $15,000 fine.  He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Schreiber was indicted for Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds by a federal grand jury in May of 2021.  Schreiber pled guilty on May 23, 2022.  

Schreiber’s co-defendant, Arnaldo Piccinelli, was also charged, and he pled guilty to Embezzlement from an Indian Tribal Organization on May 19, 2022.  Piccinelli was sentenced to two years of probation.

According to court documents, in or around December 2015, Schreiber became the Director of the Information Technology Department of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.  Schreiber’s duties included serving as the Tribe’s primary contact with outside vendors and generating bids, contracts, and agreements relating to the work of the Tribe’s Information Technology Department. 

On behalf of the Tribe, Schreiber contracted with Piccinelli to provide information technology services on a contract basis with the Tribe.  Schreiber served as Piccinelli’s point of contact regarding all of the contracts with the Tribe.  The Tribe paid Piccinelli or his company, Hexagon Code, Incorporated, at the direction of Schreiber.  At some time after Piccinelli entered into the contract, Schreiber solicited Defendant Piccinelli for money.  As a result, Defendant Schreiber received cash payments of approximately $15,000.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Schreiber must self-report to the institution designated or the U.S. Marshals Office by 2:00pm on November 15, 2022.

This case was brought pursuant to the Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities.  Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: the FBI; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; IRS Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

For additional information about the Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400.  To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Steven Joseph Bares, age 53, of Tabor, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier on September 13, 2022, and pleaded guilty to an Information that charged him with wire fraud.         

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine; three years of supervised release, a violation of any condition of release could result in two years of additional custody on any such revocation; $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund; and restitution.

Bares willfully and unlawfully devised and intended to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud and obtain money and property from two parishes by false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.

Saint Wenceslaus Parish in Tabor, South Dakota, and Saint John the Baptist Parish in Lesterville, South Dakota, are two small Catholic parishes located in rural South Dakota towns.  The churches shared a single priest.  The only administrative staff at the churches was Bares, who primarily worked as the bookkeeper.  In that capacity, Bares wrote checks to pay bills and entered checks in the general ledges.

In May 2021, the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese, on behalf of the above-named parishes, hired an accounting firm to conduct a forensic audit.  The audit uncovered multiple checks made out to companies belonging to Bares that did not correspond to any service or equipment purchased from those companies.  Furthermore, these checks were neither entered in the general ledger nor entered as a legitimate expense.

Between January 2013 and March 2020, Bares embezzled money from two Parishes, totaling $324,001.37.  The investigation confirmed that the checks identified in the audit report were deposited into accounts held by Bares.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri. 

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for December 12, 2022. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on September 12, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Oleg Vasiliyvich Manuylo, age 30, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Manuylo was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in December of 2021.  He pleaded guilty on June 27, 2022.

Manuylo knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, with others known and unknown, to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in the state of South Dakota and elsewhere.

This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Production of Child Pornography was sentenced on September 12, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Jeremy James Konda, age 49, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Konda was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2021.  He pleaded guilty on July 5, 2022.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between May 27, 2020, and July 26, 2020, when Konda used a hidden camera placed in his bathroom to record videos of a minor female while she was using the toilet and the shower.  The minor female was living there at the time.

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

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on August 24, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Isiah Hunter, age 29, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Hunter was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in May of 2019.  He pleaded guilty on March 16, 2022. Hunter was responsible for distributing between 100 grams and 400 grams of heroin during his involvement in the conspiracy. Hunter obtained distributable amounts of heroin and then distributed it to others primarily in the Rapid City area.  Oftentimes he would set up deals between the source and other parties obtaining heroin.  Four other co-defendants have already been sentenced.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina Nelson prosecuted the case.

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on August 19, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Mark Twogood, age 57, was sentenced to six  years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Twogood was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in January of 2020.  He pleaded guilty on May 18, 2022.

During his involvement in the conspiracy, Twogood and other co-conspirators obtained and transported methamphetamine between Colorado and South Dakota.  The methamphetamine was then distributed in western South Dakota for use and distribution by others.  Two co-defendants have previously been sentenced.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET).  UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina S. Nelson prosecuted the case.

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on September 9, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Jay Paul Gallego, age 37, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Gallego was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in June of 2021.  He pleaded guilty on May 9, 2022.

Gallego, who resided in Rapid City, was a primary supplier of methamphetamine for multiple people in Rapid City and the Pine Ridge Reservation.  He supplied methamphetamine to multiple individuals and coordinated and conspired with others as part of this drug trafficking conspiracy.  At times, Gallego was also involved in possessing and selling firearms as part of this conspiracy.

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

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on September 9, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Shiotah Buckman, age 22, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Buckman was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in February of 2021.  She pleaded guilty to the indictment on May 20, 2022.  Buckman obtained methamphetamine brought to South Dakota by others and then distributed that methamphetamine to others for use and additional distribution.  It was reasonably foreseeable that between 350-500 grams would be distributed during the course of the conspiracy, primarily in the Pine Ridge area.

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

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

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Discharge and Brandishing of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, three counts of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on August 31, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken,

Isaac Roubideaux, age 30, was sentenced to a total of 442 months in federal prison on the eight charges of which he was convicted by a federal jury in May of 2022.  This time is to be followed by five years of supervised release.  Roubideaux was also ordered to pay $800 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $900 in restitution.

Roubideaux was indicted by a federal grand jury in December of 2021.  He was found guilty of the charges following a jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota on May 20, 2022.

The conviction stems from Roubideaux using a Savage rifle to shoot a male individual in the back as he attempted to leave Roubideaux’s residence at Pine Ridge on November 18, 2021.  The victim was paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the assault.  Roubideaux was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in 2016 and was required to register as a sex offender.  On three separate occasions between 2020 and 2021, Roubideaux failed to update and register his address consistent with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.  Roubideaux, a convicted felon, who is prohibited by law from possessing firearms, possessed a KEL-TEC, .22 caliber handgun on September 26, 2021, and the Savage rifle that was used in the November 18, 2021, shooting.

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 Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, Oglala Sioux Tribe Criminal Investigations Unit, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Rapid City Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Heather Sazama prosecuted the case.

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