District of South Dakota

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sisseton, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child was sentenced on July 12, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Okokipe Jones, age 47, was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison, 10 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Jones was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 1, 2020.  He pled guilty on April 20, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from incidents on or about July 1, 2010, and continuing through on or about July 31, 2010, when Jones knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual contacts with a young female victim.  Jones, by using force, intentionally touched, either directly or through the clothing, the victim’s genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, and buttocks. 

At the time of the sexual contact, Jones was approximately 36 years old and the victim was under 12 years of age. 

Jones is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe.  The sexual assault occurred in Roberts County, State and District of South Dakota, within the exterior boundaries of the Lake Traverse Reservation.   Jones and the victim resided together in the same household at the time.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Production of Child Pornography.

Robert Eugene Stefani, age 45, was indicted on July 7, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 12, 2021 and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 30 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about June 22, 2019, Stefani, knowingly employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a juvenile female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct, knowing and having reason to know that such visual depiction would be transported in interstate or foreign commerce or mailed, and such visual depiction would be produced using materials that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate and foreign commerce, including by computer.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

Stefani were released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Peever, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced on July 12, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

David George Derby, age 24, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, 10 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Derby was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 17, 2020.  He pled guilty on April 12, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on or about April 11, 2020, when Derby knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual contact with his 17-year old female cousin.  The victim was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct and was physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating her unwillingness to engage in the sexual contact, and Derby was aware of the victim’s incapacity.  Derby also knew the victim was his cousin.

Derby and the victim consumed alcoholic beverages, and the victim became intoxicated.  Derby perpetrated the sexual contact knowing the victim was vulnerable and unable to give her consent to the sexual contact.

Derby was approximately 23 years old at the time of the offense.  He is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe.  The sexual contact occurred within the exterior boundaries of the Lake Traverse Reservation. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Derby was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Parmelee, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.

Odell Good Shield, age 33, was indicted on May 11, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 14, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 8 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on March 17, 2021, in Todd County, South Dakota, Good Shield did assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with a law enforcement officer who was employed by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and that such conduct involved physical contact.

The charge is merely an accusation and Good Shield 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.   

Good Shield was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has been set for August 31, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Mission, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Mareca Rodriquez, age 29, was indicted on April 13, 2021.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 13, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 40 years in federal prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered. 

The Indictment alleges that on March 3, 2021, in Mission, South Dakota, Rodriquez knowingly possessed approximately 329 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it.        

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Mission, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Appear.

Tera Jo Larvie, age 28, was indicted on June 8, 2021.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 14, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on May 18, 2021, Larvie failed to appear for her jury trial for Second Degree Burglary and Larceny. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the United States Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Influencing a Federal Officer by Threat.

Donovan Jace Oakie, age 33, was indicted on July 13, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 14, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on June 30, 2021, in Todd County, South Dakota, Oakie threatened to assault and murder a law enforcement officer who was employed by the United States Marshals Service.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the United States Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Mexican national who had been living in southern California, who pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance in South Dakota was sentenced on July 9, 2021 by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Viken. 

Uzziel Alejandro Carillo-Rojas, age 34, was sentenced to four years in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, restitution.

Uzziel Alejandro Carillo-Rojas was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury on December 8, 2020.  He pleaded guilty on February 19, 2021.

From approximately June 2019 to December 2020, Carillo-Rojas obtained methamphetamine in California and transported it to South Dakota for further distribution. Carillo-Rojas was to receive compensation for transporting the methamphetamine. On November 11, 2020, Carillo-Rojas and a codefendant arrived in South Dakota to deliver 10 pounds of methamphetamine and were subsequently stopped and arrested by law enforcement.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations.  UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the 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.

Uzziel Alejandro Carillo-Rojas was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 
 

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Box Elder, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography was sentenced on July 8, 2021, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

As to the charge of Receipt of Child Pornography, Christopher Lee Golden, age 51, was sentenced to just over 8 years in federal prison, 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Golden was likewise sentenced to just over 8 years in federal prison, 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for the charge of Possession of Child Pornography.  The time to be served in federal prison and supervised release are to run concurrently.

Golden was indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in October 2018.  He was found guilty of the charges following a bench trial in Rapid City on January 19, 2021.

The charges related to Golden knowingly receiving and possessing sexually explicit images of minor females between June 2014 and September 2018.  Golden was arrested in Rapid City in 2018 on a Colorado fugitive warrant for sexual exploitation of a child.  At the time of his arrest, Golden had five devices containing child pornography and multiple devices on which he had installed data shredding applications and other anonymizing software.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Black Hills Fugitive Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama prosecuted the case.

Golden was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that an Agency Village, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced on July 12, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Kevin Lee Farmer, age 58, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison, life of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Farmer was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 20, 2020.  He pled guilty on April 12, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between on or about June 1, 2016, and on or about December 31, 2016, when Farmer knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual contacts with a young female victim.  Farmer, using force, intentional touched, either directly or through the clothing, the victim’s genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, and buttocks. 

At the time of the sexual contact, Farmer was approximately 54 years old and the victim was under 12 years of age.  The sentencing judge also found that he sexually abused other children.  He is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe.  Farmer and the victim resided together in the same household. 

This case was investigated by the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Law Enforcement Criminal Investigations Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Farmer was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that Wicahpe “Chops” Milk, age 37, of Wanblee, South Dakota, was found guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, and Obstruction of Justice following a five-day federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota.  The verdict was returned on July 2, 2021.

The conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or a $10,000,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  The other charges each carry a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

 Wicahpe “Chops” Milk was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 20, 2016.  Milk was released from federal custody in January 2015 and soon after began obtaining methamphetamine in California.  He arranged for the methamphetamine to be transported to South Dakota for further distribution.  Eventually Milk began transporting the methamphetamine himself and selling it in South Dakota to his network of distributors.  On August 17, 2016, law enforcement stopped Milk’s vehicle and located methamphetamine and a firearm.  Due to a prior felony conviction, Milk was prohibited from possessing a firearm.  After his arrest, Milk engaged in extensive witness tampering efforts in an attempt to influence the testimony of witnesses.

This case was investigated by the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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.  Further investigation was also conducted by the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn N. Rich and Gina Nelson prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for October 1, 2021.   The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Los Angeles, California, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Larceny, Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer, and Child Abuse. 

Julio Salvador Guevara, age 35, was indicted on July 17, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 8, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that in January 2018, Guevara stole a pickup truck and fled from several law enforcement officers on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. Guevara had two minor children in the stolen pickup during the chase, which involved speeds in excess of 85 miles per hour over washboard-style roads.  Guevara was arrested after he stopped the pickup instead of driving over tire spikes placed on the road.       

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Ziebach County Sheriff’s Office, and the Haakon County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Texas man convicted of failure to register as a sex offender was sentenced on June 28, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Rene Alvarez DeLeon, Jr., age 45, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

DeLeon was indicted for failure to register as a sex offender by a federal grand jury on March 2, 2021.  He pled guilty to on May 11, 2021.

According to court documents, in April 2020, DeLeon, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, knowingly failed to register and update his registration.  He is a sex offender by reason of a conviction for sexual assault of a child under the laws of the State of Texas, and he traveled in interstate commerce, and having entered, left, and resided in Indian country, while failing to register or update his registration.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

DeLeon was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime was sentenced on June 24, 2021, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Jonathan Blacksmith, age 45, was convicted by a jury of all five charges and was sentenced to a total of 16 years and three months in federal prison.  Blacksmith was also sentenced to four years of supervised released and was ordered to pay a total of $500 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

Evidence at trial established Blacksmith, knowing he was a convicted felon, possessed a Glock 9mm pistol in Kyle on February 17, 2017, and a .40 caliber pistol in Rapid City in January 2017.  Blacksmith distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Kyle in February 2017.  In January 2017, Blacksmith distributed methamphetamine in Rapid City while in possession of the .40 caliber pistol.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department's past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-announces-launch-project-guardian-nationwide-strategic-plan.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (“UNET”), which is a local drug task force comprised of various agencies.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted and tried the case.

Blacksmith was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.

Cory Marshall, age 42, was charged on June 17, 2021.  Marshall appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 23, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Marshall, previously convicted of a felony and prohibited from possessing firearms, possessing an unregistered, illegally shortened Remington Arms, 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun, which was found after Marshall came into contact with Pennington County Sheriff’s deputies in April 2021.  The charges are merely an accusation and Marshall is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian

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

Marshall was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set. 

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.

Toby Acevedo, age 50, was charged on March 18, 2021.  Acevedo appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 23, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Acevedo, previously convicted of a felony and prohibited from possessing firearms, possessing an unregistered, illegally shortened Mossberg International semi-automatic rifle, which was found after Acevedo came into contact with Rapid City Police officers in July 2020.  The charges are merely an accusation and Acevedo is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian

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.

Acevedo was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Waylon Loefer, age 42, was charged on June 17, 2021.  Loefer appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 23, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the charge.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Loefer, previously convicted of a felony and prohibited from possessing firearms, possessing a Taurus, .40 Smith & Wesson caliber, semi-automatic pistol, which was found after Loefer came into contact with Rapid City Police officers in February 2021.  The charge is merely an accusation and Acevedo is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian

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.

Loefer was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set. 

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Box Elder, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for three counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact.

Ricardo Edward Franc Olandez, age 34, was indicted on June 17, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 28, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is lifetime imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and a $400 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Olandez forcing a juvenile female to engage in sexual acts with him between April 1, 2021, and May 14, 2021, on the Ellsworth Air Force Base.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama is prosecuting the case.

Olandez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has been set for September 7, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that Frank Sanchez, age 66, of Wagner, South Dakota, was found guilty of one count of Abusive Sexual Contact, and was acquitted of one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact as a result of a federal jury trial in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

The charge of conviction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  

Sanchez was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 3, 2019. 

The conviction stems from an incident between June 1, 2006, and September 1, 2006, when Sanchez engaged in sexual contact with a female minor who had not attained the age of 12 years.  The incident occurred while they were living with relatives in the Marty, South Dakota, area.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered.  The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Marijuana and Prohibited Person in Possession of Firearm.

Blade Ryan Marshall, age 24, was indicted on October 7, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 21, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that between January 2017 and March 2018, the Defendant conspired with others to distribute cocaine and marijuana on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.  The Indictment further alleges that on January 16, 2018, the Defendant, who is a drug user, was in possession of several firearms.

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

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity.  Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers.  It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Vehicle.

Cole Brewer, age 29, was indicted on May 20, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 16, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.  The penalty upon conviction is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Brewer stealing a Freightliner fuel truck from Hay Springs, Nebraska, in June 2020, and transporting it across the state line.  The charge is merely an accusation and Brewer is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and Sheridan County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.

Brewer was detained pending trial.  A trial date has not been set. 

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Milbank, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Delvin Eagle Chasing, a/k/a Delvin Baumgarten, age 35, was indicted on May 11, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 25, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Count.  Restitution may also be ordered. 

The Indictment alleges that on January 12, 2021, in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, Eagle Chasing did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that Samuel Francis White Horse, age 33, of Cherry Creek, South Dakota, was found guilty of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding and Tampering with Evidence as a result of a three-day federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota.  White Horse was acquitted of charges of aiding and abetting Second Degree Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.  The verdict was returned on June 24, 2021.

The conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered. 

White Horse was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2020.

The jury found that on February 12, 2020, White Horse assaulted a man, who crashed his vehicle into White Horse’s yard while suffering from a medical emergency, by punching him in the head.  Jerome White Horse, Jr., the defendant’s father, also used a garden hoe to strike the victim in the head multiple times.  The victim died several days later after suffering from significant bleeding in his brain.  Jerome White Horse, Jr., pled guilty to and was convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter.  After witnessing his father beat the victim with the garden hoe, the defendant took control of the weapon and hid it under the front porch of his home to conceal it from law enforcement.  The garden hoe was recovered during the execution of a search warrant a couple days later, and found by the South Dakota Forensic Laboratory to have the victim’s DNA on the blade and Jerome White Horse, Jr.’s DNA on the handle.          

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.   

Sentencing was scheduled for September 20, 2021.  White Horse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after the jury announced its verdict.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Sulfur Springs, Arkansas, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Jeffrey Alan Mosal, age 44, was indicted on April 6, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 23, 2021 and pled 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.

The Indictment alleges that Mosal, who had previously been convicted of a sex crime and required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, failed to do so between January 30, 2020, and April 6, 2021.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Pine Ridge man was acquitted of two counts of Sexual Abuse and two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor following a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 11, 2021.

Leon Janis, age 37, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 21, 2019.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Martin, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. 

Carly Shott, age 23, was indicted on September 9, 2020.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 17, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 40 years in federal prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and forfeiture of a firearm.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between 2018 and 2019, Shott knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in South Dakota.  Further, on August 30, 2019, Shott possessed a handgun at a hotel in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, while being a user of methamphetamine.     

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

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity.  Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers.  It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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.

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that two Rapid City, South Dakota, men convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance were sentenced by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Thomas Janis, age 36, was sentenced on May 27, 2021, to 12 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.

Frank Janis, age 38, was sentenced on June 7, 2021, to time served, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The Janis brothers were indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2020.  The charge related to Thomas Janis using the internet to purchase boxes of Tramadol pills from various locations outside the United States.  Janis then distributed these shipments of multiple blister packs of Tramadol pills to individuals in the District of South Dakota between 2017 and 2020.  One of these individuals was his brother, Frank Janis, who paid Thomas for each box of blister packs.  Thomas then sold the Tramadol pills and kept the remaining profits for himself.  Thomas Janis distributed at least 40,000, but less than 80,000 pills, and Frank Janis distributed at least 16,000, but less than 40,000 pills, during the course of the conspiracy.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Indian Affairs; and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (“UNET”), a local drug task force comprised of agencies including the South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation.  U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama prosecuted the case.

Thomas Janis was ordered to self-surrender to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on June 16, 2021. 

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.  

Kenneth Larson, age 54, was indicted on May 20, 2021.  Larson appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 9, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of five up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Larson receiving and possessing computer images of child pornography at Rapid City between April 2015 and November 2020.   The charges are merely an accusation and Larson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is a joint effort between Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case.

Larson was released on conditions pending trial.  A trial date has been set for August 17, 2021. 

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Little Eagle, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child. 

Holden Cole Thompson, age 30, was indicted on June 8, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 15, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life on supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between 2014 and 2019 in Little Eagle, Thompson sexually abused and molested a child who had not attained the age of 12 years.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Waterloo, Iowa, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Bank Robbery.

Phillip Christopher Hanten, age 40, was indicted on June 2, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 15, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 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 8, 2021, Hanten took and attempted to take money belonging to the Wells Fargo Bank, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a bank whose deposits were then insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

Hanten was returned to state custody pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Todd County, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon Against a Minor, Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Commission of a Sex Offense Against a Minor While Required to Register as a Sex Offender, Commission of a Crime of Violence While Failing to Register as a Sex Offender, and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Alton Bear Heels, age 29, was indicted on June 8, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 11, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that between on or about April 4, 2021, and on or about April 5, 2021, in Todd County, Bear Heels knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a minor who had attained the age of 12 years but had not attained the age of 16 years by the use of force and by threat of death and serious bodily injury.  The indictment also alleges that between on or about April 3, 2021, and April 5, 2021, Bear Heels assaulted the minor with dangerous weapons, specifically a metal bar, a knife, a collapsible baton, and a bat, with the intent to bodily harm.

The indictment further alleges that, at the time of the above described conduct, Bear Heels was a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act by virtue of a conviction under Indian tribal law, and that he knowingly failed to register and update his registration.

The charges are merely accusations and Bear Heels 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.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Todd County, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.

Conrad Good Voice, Jr., age 26, was indicted on June 8, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 11, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that between on or about March 1, 2019, and March 1, 2021, in Todd County, Good Voice knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with two children under the age of 12.

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

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

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, was sentenced on June 14, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Antoine Joseph Metcalf, a/k/a Tony Metcalf, age 49, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Metcalf was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 14, 2019.  He pled guilty on March 29, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy that occurred between January 2015 and December 2019.  During this time, Metcalf conspired with several others to distribute between 200 and 350 grams of methamphetamine on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in central South Dakota.

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

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a St. Cloud, Minnesota, man convicted of Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor was sentenced on June 14, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Nathan Paul Grondahl, age 25, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $5,100.

Grondahl was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 10, 2019.  He pled guilty on March 22, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on November 22, 2019, when Grondahl left his home in Minnesota to travel to Hartford, South Dakota, for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual conduct with a 13-year old female.  Grondahl had met the minor on social media and had been communicating with her for a few days.  Grondahl also requested that the minor female send him nude pictures of herself.

This case was investigated by the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.

Grondahl has been allowed to self-surrender by June 28, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Kadoka, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on June 14, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Timothy Kills In Water, age 34, was sentenced to 75 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims fund in the amount of $100.

Kills In Water was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2020.  He pled guilty on March 31, 2021. 

Between October 2017 and May 2018, Kills In Water knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in South Dakota.  In total, Kills In Water distributed between 500 grams and 1,500 grams of methamphetamine to other people, who sold it on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation.  

The investigation was conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Rapid City Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.   

Kills In Water was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Fort Pierre, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Lisa Herren, a/k/a Lisa Miller, age 42, was indicted on June 8, 2021.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 11, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 40 years in prison, including a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Count.  Restitution may also be ordered. 

The Indictment alleges that between September 2018 and June 2021, Herren was involved in a conspiracy with several others to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine in and around the Pierre and Fort Pierre, South Dakota, area.

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

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

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, was sentenced on June 7, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Richard Charles Young, a/k/a RC Young, age 46, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Young was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 14, 2019.  He pled guilty on March 25, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy that occurred between January 2015 and December 2019.  During this time, Young conspired with several others to distribute between 200 and 350 grams of methamphetamine on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in central South Dakota.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments was sentenced on June 3, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Maria Delsolorro Garibay, age 37, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for each count to be served concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release on each count to run concurrently, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Garibay was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 1, 2020.  She pled guilty on March 8, 2021.

The conviction regarding methamphetamine distribution stemmed from incidents beginning on an unknown date and continuing until approximately August 2020, when Garibay, along with at least one other person reached an agreement or came to an understanding to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of a substance containing methamphetamine in the District of South Dakota. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.

The conviction regarding money laundering stemmed from incidents beginning on an unknown date and continuing until approximately August 2020, when Garibay knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, and with others, to knowingly conduct and attempt to conduct money transfers at financial institutions and transporting case drug proceeds, which involved the proceeds of a conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Nash prosecuted the case.

Garibay was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Michael Lovejoy, Jr., age 38, was indicted on June 8, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 10, 2021, and pled 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.

The Indictment alleges that between September 28, 2020, and April 29, 2021, Lovejoy, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under state law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.

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

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

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman who pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on June 4, 2021, by U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier.  

Sara Skinner, age 34, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

From approximately July 2019 to late December 2019, methamphetamine was brought to South Dakota from Nevada by others. Skinner then dispersed the methamphetamine to others for use or additional distribution.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Agency, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, 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, and the South Dakota National Guard.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case. 

Skinner was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man who pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on June 4, 2021, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Roberto Lange.  

Eric Bonadore, age 52, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

From approximately November 2018 to March 2019, Bonadore brought methamphetamine from Colorado to South Dakota.  Bonadore travelled to Colorado on at least two occasions to obtain methamphetamine from a person introduced to him by a co-defendant.  The defendant then dispersed the methamphetamine to others for use or additional distribution in South Dakota.

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, and the South Dakota National Guard.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case. 

Bonadore was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on June 7, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Daniel Roan Eagle, age 30, was sentenced to 55 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Roan Eagle was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 15, 2020.  He pled guilty on March 17, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on October 27, 2019, on a rural road in Todd County.  During the early morning hours, Roan Eagle became stranded during a snowstorm.  Officers were able to locate Roan Eagle and get him to safety.  During the contact officers found a backpack that contained marijuana and 80 grams of methamphetamine, along with a scale and other drug paraphernalia items.  Roan Eagle was intending to distribute the methamphetamine on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in central South Dakota.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Mosher, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Tyrone Steven Andrews, age 29, was indicted on June 2, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 4, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The Indictment alleges that Andrews, who had previously been convicted of a sex crime and required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, failed to do so between November 1, 2020, and June 2, 2021.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Mobridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. 

Luke Newton Mowrer, age 33, was indicted on March 9, 2021.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 8, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is ten 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.

On October 5, 2019, near McLaughlin, South Dakota, Mowrer assaulted two individuals with a knife.  One of the victims suffered a cut to the neck, while the other victim had her jacket slashed from the assault. 

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Theft of Government Property was sentenced on June 7, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Preston White Feather, age 25, was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.  White Feather was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $26,198.30.

White Feather was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 11, 2020.  He pled guilty on March 22, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from White Feather’s participation in a series of burglaries in Mission in April of 2021.  Between April 2, 2021, and April 15, 2021, White Feather was involved in the burglary of multiple local businesses in Mission.  On April 16, 2021, White Feather broke into the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Administration Building in Mission, and stole a pickup truck.  On April 21, 2021, White Feather burglarized the BIA building a second time.

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

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm was sentenced on June 7, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Patrick Leonard Iron Cloud, Jr., age 39, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.  He was also ordered to forfeit all interest in the Colt pistol and ammunition seized.

Iron Cloud was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 10, 2020.  He pled guilty on March 22, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on October 2, 2020, in Mission.  Iron Cloud was involved in a traffic stop, and during the encounter law enforcement officers located various items of drug use and the Colt pistol.  The Defendant has a prior felony conviction and is a drug user, making it illegal for him to possess any firearm.        

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Browns Valley, Minnesota, man convicted of abusive sexual contact was sentenced on June 7, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Howard Edison Derby, Jr., age 35, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $1,000 fine. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Derby was indicted for aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse by a federal grand jury on July 20, 2020.  He pled guilty to abusive sexual contact on March 18, 2021.

According to court documents, on or about the 23rd day of November, 2018, in Roberts County, Derby knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in sexual contact with the victim, that is, sexual contact, by using force, involving Derby’s intentional touching, either directly or through clothing, of the victim’s genitalia.

Specifically, after the victim had alcoholic beverages to celebrate a friend’s birthday, she became intoxicated.  The celebration concluded at the victim’s friend’s house, where she decided to sleep on a couch.  Derby was present at that time and knew the victim was intoxicated and tired.  Derby perpetrated the sexual assault knowing of the victim’s vulnerable state. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Derby was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Hot Springs, South Dakota, man convicted of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm was sentenced on June 7, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Matthew Leddon, age 45, was sentenced to seven months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, including five months of home confinement, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.  Leddon was also ordered to forfeit all interest in the SIG Sauer pistol and ammunition seized.

Leddon was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 10, 2020.  He pled guilty on March 22, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 24, 2019.  Leddon, who was previously convicted of a felony drug offense, was traveling across the state when he ended up in the median along the interstate in Lyman County.  A South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper stopped to assist Leddon.  During the interaction, the Trooper learned Leddon was a prohibited person due to the drug conviction and discovered the pistol in the vehicle. 

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

This case was investigated 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. Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation was sentenced on June 7, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Seth Stadel, a/k/a Seth Carter, age 27, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. 

Stadel was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 11, 2020.  He pled guilty on March 22, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 10, 2020, near Lantry, South Dakota, wherein Stadel assaulted his intimate partner by grabbing her by the throat and strangling her until she began to lose consciousness.  When she tried to run away, Stadel tackled her, breaking her arm.

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

Stadel was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that six Defendants convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, have been sentenced to federal prison terms by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Matthew Thomas Houff, age 25, from Los Angeles, California, was sentenced on June 3, 2021, to 360 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Dominic Shawn Walberg, age 20, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was sentenced on June 3, 2021, to 120 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.

Sameer Eugene Gentry, age 34, from Pasadena, California, was sentenced on May 17, 2021, to 330 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Cody Lee Jackson-Duimstra, age 25, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was sentenced on October 19, 2020, to 180 months of federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Mycah Jayden Burns, age 31, from Crooks, South Dakota, was sentenced on September 14, 2020, to 168 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.

Zachary Alanjon Trippler, age 27, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was sentenced on August 26, 2020, to 120 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.

Trippler, Houff, and Burns were indicted on December 17, 2019; Jackson-Duimstra was indicted on January 7, 2020; Gentry was indicted on March 10, 2020; and Walberg was indicated on August 17, 2020.

Trippler pled guilty on June 3, 2020; Houff pled guilty on March 22, 2021; Burns pled guilty on August 17, 2020; Jackson-Duimstra pled guilty on July 20, 2020; Gentry pled guilty on February 24, 2021; and Walberg pled guilty on March 1, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from incidents beginning at an unknown date and continuing until on or about October 6, 2020, in the District of South Dakota and elsewhere, when Defendants knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, with others known and unknown, to knowingly and intentionally distribute a mixture and substance containing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, which is a Scheduled II controlled substance.

Houff and Gentry wired funds derived from the sale of methamphetamine by utilizing various phone applications.  They wired the money for the purpose of concealing the fact that the money they were sending was acquired from the sale of the methamphetamine on behalf of the conspiracy. 

“Now that Mr. Gentry, Mr. Houff and the other defendants are being held accountable for their involvement in the methamphetamine distribution and money laundering conspiracy, the public is safer,” said Amanda Prestegard, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “IRS CI, along with our law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to dismantling and disrupting drug and money laundering organizations.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Internal Revenue Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga prosecuted the case.

All Defendants were turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following their sentencings.