ïBack to News Archives
11/8/05 Operation Taconite Derails Meth Imports from the Duluth News Tribune
Duluth, MN police, working with state and federal authorities,
arrested nine suspects and seized three pounds of Meth in "Operation
Taconite". An informant worked with the officers to set up a sting in a motel
close to the Interstate. Officials say they believe the drug ring was
responsible for a million-dollars worth of Meth entering the Duluth area every
month. They estimate at least 50-pounds of the drug had been channeled through
the dealers since last July.
10/30/05 Federal Court News from the
Rapid City Journal
A 29-year old Rosebud man pled not guilty in federal court to conspiracy and
possession with intent to distribute Meth in Todd County. When he is sentenced,
he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five-years, up to a maximum of
40-years. A 42-year old fort Pierre man faces two counts of distribution of
Meth. If found guilty, he could be sentenced up to a maximum of 20-years in
prison and a $1-million fine for each count.
10/27/05 Man Gets 26-Month Sentence for Meth Possession from the
Mitchell Daily
Republic
Two years and two months of prison time was the sentence for a 43-year old
Mitchell man charged with Meth and marijuana possession. He was given credit
for time served.
10/27/05 Infant, Meth Found in Sioux Falls Home from the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Sioux Falls police arrested a 24-year old woman and a 22-year old man for
Meth possession and inhabiting a room where drugs are used or stored.
Authorities found a bag of crystal Meth in the home. Child Protection Services
called officers to the home after their offices were alerted to unacceptable
living conditions. The month-old infant was taken into protective custody.
10/25/05
Seven Years for Intent to Sell Meth from the
Aberdeen
American News
After pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute Meth, a
36-year old Hecla man was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined $663.
Four of the years will be suspended. He could have been sentenced up to ten
years in prison and a fine of $10,000 for the felony. Police officers found 7.7
grams of Meth and paraphernalia in his car after a traffic stop in October,
2004.
10/21/05 Meth Charges Dropped in Plea Deal
Aberdeen
American News
A 44-year old Aberdeen man received a sentence of two years in prison (seven
months suspended, credit for 152 days served) after he pled guilty to cocaine
possession. In exchange for his guilty plea, a charge of Meth possession was
dropped.
10/18/05 Suspect Wants Jury Trial on Drug Charges from the
Aberdeen
American News
A 21-year old woman, facing multiple charges including Meth possession, said she
wants a jury trial for her case. She was originally arrested in June.
10/18/05 Young Meth Dealer Back in Court from the
Rapid City Journal
The 18-year old former Stevens High School student who got a break on his
sentencing for dealing Meth is accused of violating his parole. The young man
was originally convicted of selling the drug to a 14-year old at his school. He
faced a mandatory minimum prison sentence of ten years, but he got a break due
to his age, no prior criminal record and a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
He is accused of breaking his parole by drinking alcohol.
10/14/05
Drug Dealer Gets Death Sentence from the
Watertown Public
Opinion
One of the area’s first large-scale Meth producers received the death sentence
from an Iowa jury after his conviction for murdering five people. The 37-year
old man, who was tried and convicted in federal court, protested his innocence
in the deaths of three adults and two children. The prosecution contends he
killed them to protect his Meth operation.
Trial by Jury for Drug Possession Case from the
Aberdeen
American News
An Aberdeen woman asked for a jury trial after pleading innocent to three felony
drug charges – including one for possession of Meth – and one misdemeanor charge
of drug paraphernalia possession. She faces up to ten years in state prison and
a $10,000 fine on each of the felonies if she is convicted. A trial date for
the 21-year old has not been set.
Four Arrested in Whitewood Meth Case from the
Spearfish
Black Hills Pioneer
An outstanding warrant for one Whitewood man led officers to discover several
grams of Meth and further arrests. Four people, two men and two women, are
charged with crimes varying from possession to distribution to providing a place
for the use of a controlled substance. All four were taken to the Lawrence
County Jail. Investigators say more arrests and charges are expected in the
case.
Life Sentence for Meth Dealing Upheld from the
Watertown Public
Opinion
A federal appeals panel denied a motion to overturn a life sentence handed down
to a Minnesota man for dealing drugs. A Fargo, North Dakota, jury convicted him
in 2004 on conspiracy charges for his role in a multi-state drug ring that sold
more than 70-pounds of Meth and other drugs in the Fargo area, the Duluth,
Minnesota area and the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Two Arrested on Drug Related Charges from the
Mitchell Daily
Republic
Two Mitchell residents, a 20-year old man and a 17-year old woman, are accused
of possessing a controlled substance based on white residue that tested positive
for Meth was found in a plastic case. They face up to ten years in the state
penitentiary and a $10,000 fine on the class four felony charge.
Meth Use Violates Probation, Sends Man Back to Court
from the
Aberdeen American News
A 37-year old Aberdeen man, serving probation on previous Meth possession
charges, failed a drug test when it showed Meth in his system. He has pled
guilty to the probation violation and received a two-year suspended sentence,
two years probation and $350 in fines.
Federal Court News from the
Rapid City Journal
A 24-year old Mission woman faces up to 20-years in prison and a $1-million
dollar fine after her indictment on Meth possession with intent to distribute
charges. She was arrested in March.
Four Years for Possession from the Milbank Grant
County Review
A 44-year old Big Stone City woman will spend four years in prison after
pleading guilty to Meth possession. She was arrested in her home in June. Her
41-year old boyfriend was arrested in Minnesota, also on Meth possession
charges.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Possession from the
Mitchell Daily
Republic
A 44-year old Mitchell woman, arrested in June for Meth possession, changed her
plea from not guilty to guilty during a court hearing in September. Sentencing
is set for October 4, after a pre-sentence investigation.
Meth Couple Gets Prison Time, Fines from the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader
A Sioux Falls couple each received a four-year sentence on Meth possession
charges. The presiding judge suspended eighteen months of the woman’s sentence
and six months of the man’s providing they have no drug offenses for four years
and pay all related costs.
The couple’s two-year old son was home at the time police officers raided the
couple’s residence. The woman was five months pregnant.
Guilty Plea to Meth Charge – from the
Mitchell Daily
Republic
A 27-year old from Chamberlain pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with
the intent to distribute Meth. The suspect was originally indicted by a federal
grand jury on two such counts. A pre-sentence investigation will be held before
the December 5 sentencing date. The maximum penalty is 40-years imprisonment
and a $2-million fine.
Jury Trial Scheduled on Meth Charge – from the
Brookings Register
A 22-year old Brookings man will have a trial by jury starting October 19 after
pleading not guilty to charges of Meth distribution. The charges stem from
alleged incidents in March. He is currently out of jail on bond.
Sentences Passed Down for Two on Meth Charges – from the
Aberdeen
American News
A 45-year old Sioux Falls man pled guilty in a Brown County court to felony
possession of Meth. He faced ten years in a state prison and a $10,000 fine.
He was sentenced to ten years, with seven of those suspended, ten years
probation and fined $350. Also in Brown County, a 20-year old Atwater,
Minnesota woman pleaded guilty to Meth possession. She was sentenced to 30-days
in a county jail, two years probation and a fine of $350. If she successfully
completes her probation, the case will be removed from her record.
Meth Cases in Federal Court – from the
Rapid City Journal
A 25-year old Salt Lake City, Utah, man received a 21-month prison sentence
after a guilty plea to misprision of a felony (neglecting to prevent or report a
felony) in connection to his knowledge of a conspiracy to distribute Meth. And
a 24-year old man from St. Francis pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute Meth
between March and July of last year. The charge carries a mandatory minimum
sentence of five years in prison; the maximum sentence is 40-years plus a
$2-million fine. Sentencing in this case is scheduled for December 5.
Motel Site of Sioux Falls Drug Bust – from the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Three people were arrested at a motel on the north side of Sioux Falls in late
August. A 27-year old man, who lived at the motel, an 18-year old Sioux Falls
man and an 18-year old Brandon woman were arrested on charges of distribution
and manufacture of a controlled drug, maintaining a place where drugs are kept
or stored, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Police found about
14-grams of Meth, a pipe for smoking Meth and marijuana pipes when they
responded to a call complaining about noise.
Pound of Meth Lands a 9-Year Sentence Information from the
Rapid City Journal
A Black Hawk man who
pleaded guilty in July to possessing more than a pound of methamphetamine
received a nine-year prison sentence from a 4th Circuit Court judge. The man,
whose age was not given, was arrested in April after an investigator found
several ounces of Meth and cocaine in his vehicle. A search of the man’s home
turned up over a pound of Meth. He pled guilty to two class 4 felonies:
possession of cocaine and possession of Meth with intent to distribute. Each
count carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The
intent to distribute charge also carries a mandatory minimum sentence of a year
in prison. The judge sentenced him to ten years in prison, but suspended one
year on each charge.
Alert
Property Manager Tips Cops to Meth Lab from the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader, KELO-TV
The Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force arrested three local residents on August 15
on suspicion of operating a methamphetamine lab. A tip from a suspicious
apartment manager led the officers to the apartment on the east side of Sioux
Falls, where they discovered a medium sized Meth lab. Some of the items seized
in the raid were two gallons of Coleman fuel, muriatic acid, lithium, tanks and
valves used to store and steal the farm chemical. A woman, 38-years old, and
two men, 24 and 25 years old, face Meth manufacturing and possession,
maintaining a place where drugs are used or stored and mishandling anhydrous
ammonia charges.
Other residents in the building were evacuated as detectives and Sioux Falls
Fire Department’s Haz-Mat team processed the scene.
The woman and the 24-year old man involved in this lab were out on bond at the
time of the bust – on previous charges of manufacturing Meth at a lab near
Tyndall discovered less than a month before the Sioux Falls bust.
Eight-Ball of Meth Sold to Informant
from the
Albert Lea Tribune
An Albert Lea man was arrested after selling an eight ball of Meth for $450 to
an informant working with a Freeborn County deputy. A Freeborn County Sheriff’s
deputy, working on information about a pending Meth sale, met the informant,
gave him the cash and a recorder. The 36-year old suspect was stopped, searched
and arrested after exchanging the cash for a sandwich bag containing what
appeared to be 3.4 grams of crystal Meth. The suspect later admitted to selling
the Meth to the informant. He is charged with second-degree sale of Meth, that
carries a maximum sentence of 25-years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
Federal Court News from the
Rapid City Journal
During recent U.S. District Court hearings, a 27-year old Rapid City man was
sentenced to more than seven years in federal custody for conspiracy to
manufacture Meth. After he is out of prison, he’ll be on supervised release for
three years. He had pleaded guilty to conspiring to manufacture Meth between
the first six months of 2004.
A 34-year old man from Mission also pled guilty to Meth charges – including
conspiracy to distribute the drug. When he is sentenced in October, he faces a
maximum penalty of 20-years in prison and a $1-million fine.
And a 24-year old St. Francis man pled not guilty to a two-count indictment of
conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute Meth in Todd County. If he
is convicted, he faces up to 40-years in prison and a $2-million on each
charge.
Meth Probation Violation from the
Aberdeen
American News
A 33-year old Warner woman admitted she violated the terms of her probation by
drinking and testing positive for Meth. She was originally given a suspended
five-year prison term and two years probation for a felony Meth charge. She
will be sentenced after she completes chemical dependency treatment.
Felony Drug Charge Plea for Sturgis Man from the
Sturgis/Meade Co. Times
A 47-year old man admitted he had Meth in his possession and in his
system when he was arrested last May. In return for his guilty plea, the state
dropped other charges. Since he allegedly had previous felony convictions, the
court determined he was a habitual offender – which increases the potential
maximum sentence up to 15 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.
Sentencing is scheduled for the end of September, after the suspect completes
drug treatment.
Police Seize Pound of Ice, Arrest 6 (Information from
KELOLand.com;
Sioux Falls Argus Leader)
Six Sioux Falls residents were arrested on drug charges July 28th
after officers executed several search warrants.
Authorities seized about a pound of "ice" Meth, about an ounce of cocaine, more
than $16,000 cash, a Chevy Suburban and a 9 mm pistol. The suspects, ranging in
age from 24 to 49 years old, face state and federal drug trafficking charges.
Police say two of the suspects were shooting up Meth when they were busted.
The Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, city, county and state SWAT teams, K-9
teams from Sioux Falls and Brandon police departments and the State Patrol,
along with officials from several federal agencies executed search warrants at
six locations.
Life in
Prison for Meth Dealer
(Information from
4Natives.com;
Mission Todd Co.Tribune;
Mitchell Daily
Republic;
Sioux Falls Argus Leader)
A man convicted of selling Meth and conspiracy charges was sentenced to life in
prison. The judge called it "a sad commentary" that demand for the drug allowed
for the suspect to run a profitable business, "And that's what this was - a
business, pure and simple, to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine."
Authorities said the suspect sold more than 99 pounds of Meth on the Wind River
Indian Reservation and in neighboring Fremont County (both in Wyoming), and sold
additional quantities on the Rosebud, Pine Ridge and Yankton reservations in
South Dakota and the Santee Reservation in Nebraska.
The special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Rocky
Mountain Region said the dealer sought to exploit jurisdictional loopholes on
Indian reservations. "(He) is a predator who targeted Native Americans in order
to make a profit, Today, the United States has sent a strong message to those
who would attempt to follow in his footsteps - you will be caught, prosecuted
and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law no matter where you deal your
poison."
Jury Convicts Man on Meth Charges from the
Rapid City Journal
A jury found a Rapid City man guilty of two counts of felony drug possession –
but not guilty on charges of intent to distribute Meth. He faces up to ten
years in prison and a $10,000 fine on each count during sentencing.
Woman Changes Plea from the
Mitchell Daily
Republic
A 22-year old Mitchell woman switched from a not-guilty plea to a guilty plea in
Davison County court. She is accused of felony possession of Meth, which
carries a potential ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The woman will be
sentenced in late August.
Meth
Charge Lands Parolee Behind Bars (Information from
keloland.com)
Getting caught with Meth while out on parole means more time in the South Dakota
Penitentiary for a 26-year old Sioux Falls man. The judge imposed an
additional five-year sentence on the man, who earlier was in trouble with the
law for keeping a large stash of drugs in his parents’ home.
Marshall County Lab Suspect Arrested (Information from
Aberdeen
American News, Britton Journal and
Langford Bugle)
A 48-year old Britton man turned himself in to Marshall County authorities after
learning he was a suspect in a Meth lab case. In June, law enforcement confirmed
the existence of the clan lab at an abandoned farmstead near Britton.
The suspect is charged with two Class 4 felonies and two Class 1 misdemeanors.
He will appear in court on August 8. The Marshall County Sheriff says there is
still an unknown suspect in the case and the investigation is ongoing.
Mobile Meth Lab Arrest (Information from
Mitchell Daily
Republic)
A Sioux Falls man and woman were arrested for possession of a mobile Meth lab in
Bon Homme County. The couple was pulled over for a routine traffic stop near
Avon. They are charged with a variety of offenses, including possession of a
controlled substance and mishandling anhydrous ammonia. They were released from
jail on bond.
20-Years for Distribution (Information from the
Rapid City Journal)
A 31-year old Rapid City man received a 20-year federal prison sentence for
conspiring to distribute Meth in 2003. After his release from prison, he will
have an additional three years of supervision.
Mailed Meth Lands Two
Suspects
(Information from
Watertown Public Opinion;
Pierre Capital Journal;
Sioux Falls Argus Leader;
Mitchell Daily Republic;
Spearfish Black Hills Pioneer;
Huron Plainsman)
A 28-year old man and
a 21-year old woman mailed themselves a package of Meth – and got a lot more on
delivery. Police say a drug dog sniffed out the suspicious package at the
downtown Post Office in Sioux Falls. The two suspects were arrested when they
attempted to pick up the package. The couple had mailed about on ounce of Meth
to themselves from Washington state. They are charged with distributing and
making a controlled substance; the woman also faces a possession charge.
Suspect Tells Judge, “When I’m on Meth, I’m Evil” (From the
Rapid City Journal)
A 43-year old Rapid City man pled guilty to distributing Meth and no contest to
third-degree rape. He was accused of giving a 13-year old girl Meth and then
raping her. The teen had not used Meth before, and according to her mother, she
has continued to use drugs since the rape. During sentencing, the suspect told
the judge that when he took his prescription medications, “I’m a good man. When
I’m on Meth, I’m evil.”
The judge sentenced him to ten years on the distribution charge and 15 years on
the third-degree rape charge, with the sentences to be served consecutively.
8
Years in Prison for Dealing in Drug-Free Zone (From the
Brookings Register)
A 47-year old Brookings man pleaded guilty to distributing Meth within a
thousand-feet of Pioneer Park. The guilty plea was part of an agreement with
the state, which dropped charges of aggravated assault and intentional damage to
property. The eight-year sentence includes three years for distributing Meth
and five years for violating the drug-free zone. The suspect is also facing
additional state and federal charges.
White Residue Leads to Meth Charges (From the
Mitchell Daily
Republic)
A 41-year old Mitchell woman is charged with possession of a controlled
substance after a police search of her room turned up a bag of white residue
that tested positive for Meth. She is also charged with possession of two
ounces or less of marijuana and ingesting an intoxicant other than alcohol. She
pled not guilty to all charges and is scheduled for trial in August.
Search Warrant Yields Results, Arrests (From the
Milbank Grant Co. Review)
A Big Stone City man and his girlfriend have been arrested for possessing Meth
and drug paraphernalia. Police executing a search warrant found Meth residue
and drug related items in the 41-year old man’s residence. The two are both
free on bond pending further court action.
Federal Court News (From the
Rapid City Journal)
A 23-year old Rosebud man pled guilty in federal court to possession of a
controlled substance with intent to distribute Meth in Todd County in 2003. He
faces a maximum penalty of 20-years in prison and a $1 million fine when he is
sentenced in October.
In a different case, a 30-year old Rapid City man pled not guilty to charges of
conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. The charge stems from an
incident that happened between March 2004 and May 2005 when the suspect
allegedly conspired with others to distribute Meth. He faces a possible
sentence of life in prison and a $4 million fine if found guilty.
June
21
From
KOTA Television,
Aberdeen American News,
Rapid City Journal,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader - Interagency Task Force Nets 22 Arrests
After a yearlong investigation, 22 people across South Dakota were arrested on
felony drug distribution charges. The Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug
Enforcement Task Force (including members of the FBI, DCI, police departments at
Pine Ridge, Pierre, and Martin; sheriff's offices at Mellette and Bennett
counties; and police for the Rosebud Sioux, Cheyenne River Sioux and Lower Brule
Sioux tribes) arrested 16 people on June 20 on suspicion of dealing Meth or
marijuana. Six others were arrested earlier as part of the same investigation.
Much of the alleged dealing took place on or near Indian reservations. All the
cases will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
As part of the investigation, over the past year undercover investigators seized
about $33,000 in cash as well as $30,000 worth of Meth and $4,000 worth of
marijuana that originated in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, California and Colorado.
The task force primarily
targets drug and gang offenders who operate across state and reservation
boundaries. According to a spokesman from the FBI, the task force has been
responsible for the arrests of 371 suspected dealers since its inception in June
1999.
June 14
From the Pierre
Capital Journal – Recent Grad Pleads Guilty to Meth Possession
A recent Stanley County High School graduate pled guilty on June 13 to one
count of Meth possession. The 18-year old faces up to a maximum of ten years in
the penitentiary, a $10,000 fine or both when he returns to court on July 25 for
sentencing. His attorney is asking for a suspended imposition of sentence –
that would clear the young man’s record if he abides by the rules of his
probation for its entire term.
June 14
From the Pierre
Capital Journal - Meth Grandma Sentenced
A 56-year old grandmother, formerly of Fort Pierre, pled guilty to charges of
possessing more than 177 grams of methamphetamine more than a year ago. But
between entering her plea and before sentencing she fled South Dakota - first
heading to California and then to Texas, where she was eventually arrested.
She was returned to South Dakota and was back in court on June 13th.
She told the judge she’d “gotten in with the wrong crowd” and they led her to a
use of Meth to ease the pain from a bad back. When she was originally arrested,
she says, she was smoking Meth three to four times a day. The Stanley County
state’s attorney reported that the woman possessed between $10,000 and $15,000
worth of Meth when she was arrested. She admitted to installing a lock on a
closet door to keep her four-year old grandchild away from the drugs and
paraphernalia inside.
The woman received a total sentence of five years in the women’s state pen –
with a stay on the sentence. If she maintains her behavior for five years - the
length of her probation - she will not have to serve her entire sentence. She
will have to spend a total of 180 days in the pen.
June 10
From the
Aberdeen American News - Mobil Meth Lab Defendant has Court Hearing
A 37-year old Oregon woman, accused of helping create what may have been the
Aberdeen area's first mobile Meth lab, will stay in the Brown County Jail for
the time being. She faces three felony counts, including possession of Meth;
unauthorized manufacturing, possession of or distribution of Meth; and grand
theft. Each crime is punishable by as much as much as 10 years in state prison
and a $10,000 fine. If she were found to be a habitual offender, as the Brown
County state’s attorney charges, the maximum sentences would increase to 25
years in prison and fines of up to $25,000 on each count.
The woman is one of two suspects picked up on May 1. At the time of the arrest,
they were living in a camper trailer that officers say was being converted into
a mobile Meth lab.
June 3
From the Huron Plainsman
– Two Sentenced in Separate Meth Cases
A 31-year old Moorhead, Minnesota man has been sentenced to five years in jail
after a Beadle County, South Dakota trial on Meth possession charges.
Methamphetamine and marijuana were found in his motel room and his vehicle. And
a 45-year old man from Marshall, Minnesota who had been arrested and pleaded
guilty to possession of Meth with intent to distribute also received a five-year
sentence from a Beadle County court.
May 27
From the Rapid City
Journal – Two Enter Not Guilty Pleas to Meth Charges; Third Person
Sentenced
A 29-year old woman received a five year prison sentence in federal court for
conspiring to distribute Meth near Wanblee. A 26-year old man from Fort
Collins, Colorado entered a not guilty plea to a charge of conspiring to
distribute Meth near Rapid City between March of 2004 and March of 2005. If
convicted, he faces a potential life imprisonment sentence and a $4-million
fine. And a third person, a 25-year old Rosebud man, also pled not guilty to
charges of conspiracy to distribute Meth near Rapid City, along with other
charges. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2-million fine.
May 27
From the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader – Stolen Dog Investigation Ends in Meth Arrest
Police officers asked to check on the well being of a 44-year old Sioux Falls
woman found her walking two dogs – that weren’t her own. After the pets were
returned to their owners, the woman allowed the officers to search her home.
They found paraphernalia with Meth residue, and arrested her on possession of a
controlled substance as well as the two counts of burglary associated with the
alleged dog thefts.
April 12
From the Aberdeen American News - Probation Revoked
A 39-year old Aberdeen man who was on probation for possession of Meth is back
behind bars after violating terms of his probation. He failed a drug test and
did not make required restitution payments. The judge sentenced him to five
years in prison, suspending half of the time. He will also spend five years on
probation and undergo chemical dependency treatment. He was fined $350 and given
credit for 117 days served.
April 7
From the Rapid
City Journal - Man Held for Trial on Child Abuse, Meth Possession Charges
A 37-year old Rapid City man who faces charges of child abuse and possessing
Meth will spend time in prison while awaiting his trial after being sentenced
for an unrelated probation violation. He was arrested in early January after
the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a search warrant and found a
"white substance" in a bedroom in his house that field-tested positive for
methamphetamine. A child was found about two feet from the substance.
April 4
From the
Pierre Capital Journal - Abuse/Neglect Cases Grow with Meth Use
The executive director of Pierre/Fort Pierre CIVIC (Children’s Individual
Voices In Court)-CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) says that child abuse
and neglect cases are on the rise, partially due to a new trend of the
increasing use of Meth affecting families.
Gales Askren explains that substance abuse-related problems have always been one
of the main factors in abuse and neglect cases, but Meth use is an increasing
cause for child abuse and neglect.
April 4
From the
Sturgis Journal Online – Meth Lab Bust Nabs Two Suspects
A 24-year old man and a 28-year old woman, both of Sturgis, face multiple
charges relating to Meth after an early morning chase on April 3.
The man was wanted in
connection with a previous brush with local officers back in February. Police
and sheriff’s deputies coordinated an investigation and surveillance of a local
home after getting a tip. The man fled out the rear of the home; after a short
foot chase, he was arrested. During the chase, he tossed a loaded .380 handgun
into a neighboring yard - officers later learned that the gun was stolen in
Ohio.
Police then obtained a search warrant and found two separate “cooks” mixed among
children’s toys, along with several items associated with the manufacturing of
Meth in the garage. Officers discovered hashish hidden in with children’s
videos inside the home.
Police seized a total of one ounce of Meth, a half-pound of marijuana, and more
than $500.
The woman faces charges of maintaining a drug house, harboring a fugitive,
manufacturing of Meth, possession of Meth and possession of more than 300
tablets of pseudoephedra. The man – who was on parole - faces new charges of
manufacturing Meth, possession with intent to deliver Meth, possession with
intent to deliver marijuana, felon in possession of firearm, possession of
stolen handgun, carrying concealed weapon and assaulting a police officer.
The three children who live at the home were not at home at the time of the
arrests.
March
31
From the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader - Two Plead Guilty in Meth Cases
Two Sioux Falls men have entered guilty pleas in separate Meth cases. A 37-year
old pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of
Meth; the other man entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with intent
to distribute 50 grams or more of Meth. When they are sentenced in June, they
each face from five to 40 years in prison and up to a two-million dollar fine.
March 28
From the
Aberdeen American News - 14 Years for Running Meth Lab
One of two men
arrested on charges of running Beadle County's first methamphetamine lab is
going to prison for ten years, with another four years suspended. He had pled
guilty to manufacturing Meth. The other suspect in the bust escaped from the
Huron jail and was caught in Iowa.
March 19
From the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader - Drug Bust, Foot Pursuit Nab 5
A St. Patrick’s Day raid by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force uncovered a
stash of Meth and five suspects. The Task Force, comprised of members of the
Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department, South
Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration, made the bust Thursday afternoon. When the suspected trailer
home was searched, a 22-year old man jumped headfirst out a window and tried to
escape. A detective followed him through the broken window and chased him down
a few blocks later.
The main suspect – the 22-year old who police describe as a transient – had 8.2
grams of crystal Meth packed for sale, as well as other drugs and
paraphernalia. Two 18-year old men, a 19-year old man and an 18-year old woman
were also found and arrested in the home.
Officers expect to make more arrests in this case.
March 18
From the
Aberdeen American News - Two Sentenced on Meth Charges
A 43-year old Aberdeen man had his parole revoked after he failed a random drug
test for Meth in November. He had previously been sentenced to prison on felony
drug charges; now he is back behind bars for 15 months. The new charges could
have carried as much as a ten year sentence and a $10,000 fine. Another
Aberdeen man, 55-years old, pleaded guilty to possessing Meth. He, too, could
have faced a ten year prison term and $10,000 fine; he received a sentence of
45-days in jail with credit for a day of jail time for each day he spends in
inpatient treatment, a bit over $2,000 in fines and two years probation. His
record will be cleared if he completes probation with no violations.
March 17
From the Sturgis/Meade County Times-Tribune -
Plea Deal in Meth Case
A 23-year old Sturgis woman pled guilty to one charge of unauthorized possession
of Meth in exchange for dropping three other felony drug related charges. She
was arrested in February after officers executed a search warrant on her home
and discovered several small baggies of Meth, Meth pipes, snort tubes, a spoon
and plastic pill bottle all with Meth residue, marijuana pipes with pot residue
and a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. After pleading guilty to the one,
Class 4 felony, she was released on a $10,000 bond until her sentencing date in
April.
March 16
From the Rapid City
Journal - 6 Years for Intent to Distribute
Possessing Meth with the intent to distribute it landed a 47-year old Rapid City
man behind bars. He was busted after an investigation by the Unified
Narcotics Enforcement Team. When officers arrested him, he had 3.13 grams
of Meth, psilocybin mushrooms, paraphernalia and plastic bags with Meth residue.
He admitted to getting two ounces of Meth every other day - about half a million
dollars' worth a year. He is sentenced to six years in prison, court costs
and other fees.
March 15
From the
Rapid City Journal - Break Probation on Meth Charge, go to Prison
A 28-year old Rapid City man is behind bars after breaking his probation.
The defendant was originally charged with possessing Meth in 2002. As part of
his sentencing, he was completing a four year intensive probation when he was
charged with possessing marijuana. He is now sentenced to three years in prison,
and eligible for parole after nine months.
March 12
From the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader - One Lab Leads to Another
Thursday morning, March 10, officers served a search warrant on a Colton
home and arrested two people on Meth charges. A 29-year old man was charged
with possession and manufacturing a controlled substance; a 24-year old woman
was charged with possession. Officers found six firearms in the home, and a
two-year old child was removed from the residence and placed with the Department
of Social Services. (Find
out more about Drug Endangered Children).
Acting on information obtained during the morning lab bust, law enforcement
tracked down and busted another lab the same evening - this one near Crooks.
Three more people were arrested - a 46-year old woman, a 50-year old and a
51-year old man. They face charges ranging from possession to manufacturing to
maintaining a home where drugs are sold to mishandling anhydrous ammonia.
Officers found two ounces of Meth packaged for sale, and chemicals used to
produce the drug.
The Minnehaha County Sheriff Department began building the case back in
December, after an alert store employee reported a customer's purchase of fuel
canisters and several packages of pseudoephedrine-based cold medicine - items
associated with Meth manufacturing.
Store managers and employees are urged to take part in
METH ALERT©2004
- a MAPP-SD
sponsored, free training program for retailers to learn more about their role in
curbing Meth production.
March 10
From the Milbank Grant Co. Review - Meth Lab Charges
An arrest in Minnesota led authorities to an alleged Meth lab in South Dakota.
A Milbank man was picked up in neighboring Minnesota for possession of Meth.
Minnesota's law enforcement contacted South Dakota officials; Grant County law
enforcement officers executed a search warrant on the suspect's home and
discovered a number of items tied to Meth manufacturing. The suspect faces
trial in both states on separate charges.
March 9
From the Mitchell
Daily Republic - Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Meth Charge
A 33-year old Sioux Falls woman pled not guilty to charges of possessing
Meth, reckless driving and marijuana possession in a Davison County court.
She was involved in a traffic accident in the county back in September.
The car crash led officials to start an investigation, which resulted in the
charges. The suspect is scheduled for trial in April.
March 6
From the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader - February Incident Lands Man in Court
A 36-year old Sioux Falls man faces a potential sentence of up to 21-years in
prison and a $21,000 fine after his indictment on Meth charges. He faces felony
charges of Meth possession and possession with intent to distribute in
connection with an incident in late February.
March 6
From the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader - Two Face Meth Charges
Sioux Falls police arrested two people on felony Meth possession charges
stemming from separate cases. A 19-year old man was picked up in December and
a 34-year old woman was arrested in February. They have both been indicted. The
woman faces a ten year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine; the man could
receive an eleven year prison sentence and an $11,000 fine.
March 4
From the
Mitchell Daily Republic - Eleven Years Behind Bars on Meth Charges
A 27-year old Fort Thompson man will spend 135 months in custody and an
additional four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to
conspiracy. He was originally indicted by a grand jury on a variety of charges,
including possession with intent to distribute Meth. The conspiracy plea
relates to a conspiracy to distribute Meth charge.
February 24
From the Sturgis Black Hills Press - Change in Meth Plea for Reduced Charges
A 32-year old Sturgis woman changed her not guilty plea to five drug related
charges. After pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance, the
state dropped the other four charges. The woman did admit to the judge that she
had Meth in her Sturgis home. She could receive a maximum of ten years in
prison, a $10,000 fine or both at her April 4th sentencing.
February 23
From the
Mitchell Daily Republic -
Bad Tail Light Leads to Meth Bust
A driver and his passenger pulled over for a tail light violation in
Mitchell ended up charged with Meth possession. The 40-year old Mitchell man
and his 42-year old female passenger were indicted by a Davison County grand
jury after officers found several baggies filled with Meth stashed in the car.
The two have pleaded not guilty and trial is set for early April.
February 21
From the
Rapid City Journal - Federal Drug Cases Sending Four to Prison
Two Rapid City men, charged in separate Meth cases, will each spend more
than decade in federal custody. A 46-year old pleaded guilty to a charge of
conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 14 years in
prison, four years of supervised release and a $900 fine.
A jury convicted a 26-year old man on three counts, including conspiracy to
distribute, possession with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm
during a drug trafficking crime. He received an 11.5 year sentence, followed by
five years supervised release and a $1,000 fine.
A 24-year old Rapid City man was sentenced to ten-months in prison after
pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute Meth.
A 51-year old Scottsbluff, Nebraska man will spend 30-months in federal prison
after a federal jury convicted him of conspiracy to distribute Meth in South
Dakota and elsewhere.
February 17
From the Buffalo Nation's Center News - Conviction in Anhydrous
Ammonia Tampering Case
A case that began as trespassing on a ranch near Buffalo ended with two men
convicted on tampering with an anhydrous ammonia tank. Tampering with such
tanks is a class five felony. One man received three years in the state
penitentiary on the tampering charge; the other suspect a two year sentence.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation assisted the Butte County's
and Harding County's sheriffs' offices with the case.
Anhydrous ammonia is a key element in cooking Meth. Learn how to protect your supply from tampering and theft.
February 17
From the
Rapid City Journal - Dealing Meth Results in 10 Year Sentence
A 32-year old Utah man will spend ten years in federal prison for conspiring
to distribute Meth in South Dakota. After serving a decade behind bars, he will
be on supervised release for five years. The case was investigated by the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Rapid City/Pennington County
Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team.
February 17
From the
Spearfish Black Hills Pioneer -Drug Task Force Investigating Meth Use Case
Spearfish
police officers responded to a middle of the night call reporting someone using
Meth on February 11. A suspect was arrested and taken to the Lawrence County
jail. The Drug Task Force has taken over the case and the investigation.
February 16
From
the
Brookings Register -
Woman Pleads Guilty to Helping Her Husband Sell Meth
A 30-year old
Brookings woman faces a minimum penalty of one year in the state penitentiary
after pleading guilty to helping her husband distribute Meth. Aiding and
abetting the distribution of a substance with a high potential for abuse is a
felony.
February 16
From the
Brookings Register -
Two Years in the State Pen for Distributing Meth
A 46-year old
Brookings man received a two year prison sentence for distributing Meth. The
man pleaded guilty to the charges and his attorney asked the court for leniency
during sentencing. But the judge turned down that request, telling the man,
"The fact remains that you did sell drugs, you did distribute them. Under the
circumstances I do think you should serve time in the penitentiary."
February 8
From
the
Rapid City Journal -
High School Students Busted on Meth Charges
Two Rapid City
Stevens High School students face charges related to Meth after their arrests on
February 1. A Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team investigation led to the
arrest of an 18-year old man. He has been indicted for two felonies involving
distribution of Meth in a school zone. The other student is a juvenile who was
arrested for possessing a small amount of Meth.
February 7
From the
Rapid City Journal -
Judge: “Your kids need a Meth freak for a dad like they need broken bones.”
On February 7,
four Rapid City residents were in the 7th Circuit Court on Meth
related charges. A 23-year old man was sentenced to three, ten-year prison
terms for felony charges of possessing Meth, as well as trading stolen items for
the drug.
A 46-year old man told the judge, “Most of my life, I’ve been a drug addict.”
He was prosecuted for possessing 13-grams of Meth; because he cooperated with
law enforcement, he was sentenced to 30-months in prison instead of the maximum
ten year sentence.
A 30-year old woman will serve 180 days in jail, with work release, as her
sentence for forgery. The state’s attorney explained to the court that the
woman forged checks to pay for her Meth addiction. Once the woman is on
probation, she will face many conditions including in-patient treatment,
aftercare and random urinalysis.
And a 39-year old
man asked the court for leniency on the charges of possessing Meth and cocaine,
saying he had two children and another on the way. The judge didn’t see things
the same way, responding, “Your kids need a Meth freak for a dad like they need
broken bones,” and sentenced the man to seven years on each count, suspended.
He will serve 180 days in jail, followed by tests for substance abuse. If he
violates the terms while he is on probation, he will go to prison.
February 3
From the
Groton Independent -Man Facing Felony Counts for Meth Possession, Intent to Distribute
A 36-year old
Groton man entered a plea of innocent in the circuit court of Brown County to
charges of possessing Meth, planning to distribute the drug and possessing
marijuana. He agreed to start chemical dependency treatment. The judge set
bond at $20,000.
The intent to distribute and possession of Meth charges are felonies.
Sentencing could range up to a maximum of ten years in the state penitentiary
and a $10,000 fine.
February 3
From the
Redfield Press -
Serving Six Months for Possession, Other Charges
A Redfield man
appeared in a Spink County courtroom facing charges of possessing Meth and
mishandling of anhydrous ammonia - one of the key ingredients in a Meth lab.
The suspect had a checkered record, and the prosecuting attorney asked for a ten
year prison term, with no time suspended. But the judge handed down a much
lighter sentence: $377.80 fine plus court costs and ten years in the
penitentiary for possession; $445 fine plus court costs and a five year prison
term on the handling of anhydrous ammonia. The ten year sentence was suspended
under the conditions that the man obey all conditions of court for ten years,
pay the fines and costs, have no violations for ten years, submit to drug and
alcohol tests and serve 180 days in the state pen.
After the sentencing hearing, the prosecuting attorney voiced disappointment in
the suspended sentence.
February 2
From the
Brookings Register -
Two Area Men Sentenced in Separate Meth Cases
Possessing and
distributing Meth landed two South Dakota men behind bars for years. A 20-year
old Brookings man will serve five years in the penitentiary for distributing
Meth to a 17-year old. And a 32-year old Volga man pled guilty to possessing
and distributing Meth - he received a four year sentence.
January 27
From the
Rapid City Journal -
Meth Violations Land Three Behind Bars
Three people
charged in separate Meth-related cases all received jail time after appearing in
the 7th Circuit Court.
*A 24-year old woman faced the Judge on three felony charges: possession of a
controlled substance with intent to distribute; possession of a controlled
substance and child abuse. The woman's 8-year old child was found in their home
along with Meth and paraphernalia. She has pled not guilty and is being held
until trial.
*A 24-year old man was sentenced to four years behind bars after entering a
guilty plea on charges stemming from delivering Meth to an informant for a
dealer.
*And a 23-year old man received a ten-year sentence - with four years suspended
- for possession of Meth. He asked the judge for permission to complete the
addiction treatment he began in jail while he waited for his case to come before
the court. The judge agreed, allowing him to finish the program before being
transferred to the state pen.
January 27
From the
Mitchell Daily Republic
- Felony Drug Charges Land Wisconsin Man in South Dakota's Pen
A 31-year old
Wisconsin native was sentenced to five years in South Dakota's penitentiary
following his guilty plea on felony charges of possession of Meth.
Paraphernalia with traces of Meth was found in his vehicle in Davison County.
January 26
From the
Huron Plainsman -
Woman Gets 5 Years for Making Meth
A 26-year old
Huron woman will spend five years behind prison bars for conspiracy to
manufacture Meth. The Beadle County State's Attorney commented after the
sentencing, "I think the judge sent a clear message today to anyone thinking
about manufacturing methamphetamine, that when we catch you, you're going to the
state penitentiary."
January 26
From the
Brookings Register -Man Sentenced on Drug Charge
A 27-year old Brookings man will serve three years in the state penitentiary for
his role in a Meth distribution case. He pled guilty to aiding and abetting
another man in distributing Meth to a DCI agent.
January 15th:
From
the
Sioux Falls Argus Leader:- Two Going to Prison for on Meth Charges
Two Sioux
Falls men will spend years in prison after pleading guilty to Meth distribution
charges in U.S. District Court. One man was sentenced to six years in prison
and four years probation for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
50-grams or more of Meth; the other received five years behind bars and four
years probation for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50-grams
or more of a mixture or substance containing Meth.
January 14th:
From the
Rapid City Journal
- Mission Man Gets 57-Months for Meth Charge
A Mission man
will serve 57-months in custody, followed by three years of supervised release,
as a result of his guilty plea in federal court. He admitted to possessing and
intending to distribute Meth in Todd County.
January 12th -
From the
Mitchell Daily Republic
- A Year for Distributing Meth
A Fort
Thompson man was sentenced by federal court to 12 months behind bars, followed
by three years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine.
From the
Brookings Register: Couple Pleads Not Guilty to Meth Charges
A
Brookings man and woman entered a not guilty plea to charges of of distributing
Meth - to a Division of Criminal Investigations agent. They are scheduled for
trial in February.
ïBack to News Archives
| 
