MAPP-SD, a project of Prairie View Prevention Services, Inc., is a comprehensive Methamphetamine awareness and prevention project. 
MAPP-SD is dedicated to:
u   Increase awareness of Meth and the problems associated with its use, manufacture and distribution;
u Provide, at no cost, professional Meth awareness and prevention education to groups and organizations on a community, regional and statewide level;
u Be a no-cost, ongoing resource for South Dakota citizens to deal with issues rising from the manufacture, use and distribution of Meth.

August 27, 2007

In South Dakota - A federal appeals court upheld the Meth conviction and prison sentence of a former public defender for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.  The 29-year-old man, of Mission, was convicted in June 2006 of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Meth and was sentenced to more than 15-years in prison.  A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the defendant’s arguments that prosecutors failed to present enough evidence to convict him, that the jury was allowed to convict him of something other than what he was originally charged with, and his sentence was too harsh.  Before his arrest, he worked as public defender for the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Court.  During his trial, a number of witnesses testified that he frequently bought, sold, traded, delivered and shared Meth and other drugs.  Some told the court how the defendant used his position as public defender to persuade others to cooperate with him in drug deals and perverted justice in exchange for Meth, dropping charges against suspects in various crimes.  Witnesses testified they had bought the drug from him or had seen him sell to others. Information from The Rapid City Journal

In South Dakota - A program beginning in Sioux Falls will give first-time Meth offenders a chance to erase the criminal charge by going to treatment.  Methamphetamine Sentencing Alternative Program Highlights:
v      Participants must plead guilty to charges
v      Program limited to first-time offenders
v      Most participants will spend some time in jail at the beginning of program
v      Participants will live at home and lead normal lives during course of program
v      Program will run 12-18 months
v      Participants who successfully complete treatment and a year of supervision will have their convictions dismissed.
v      Minnehaha County state’s attorney Dave Nelson will determine who qualifies for the program, who fails and who succeeds.
v      Program funded through state funds under auspices of the state Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Information from The Argus Leader, The Rapid City Journal, KELO-TV News

In Tennessee - A driver who ran a stop sign was pulled over by a sheriff's deputy and ended up arrested for Meth manufacturing.  The driver, a 37-year-old man, is charged with Meth manufacture, delivery or sale and possession.  The deputy found a clear plastic bag containing a substance that later tested positive for Meth and a trash bag in the trunk of the car with Meth lab components.

In Florida - Officers trying to serve an arrest warrant on a 24-year-old man saw him inside a mobile home. They watched him kick out a window and run away.  A police dog tracked him down, injured him, and after authorities took the suspect to a hospital, he admitted he had swallowed Meth to destroy evidence while running.  Police executed a search warrant at the mobile home and found a Meth lab and supplies.  Two women in the home, 32- and 19-years old, told police the lab been in operation at the house for several days and that they had smoked Meth recently.  All three were arrested and are accused of Meth manufacturing.

In Michigan - A couple accused of running a Meth lab in their house may soon face murder charges in the death of a toddler.  The 28-year-old woman and 26-year-old man may now face amended charges to include second-degree murder for the death of the woman’s 20-month-old son.  The Medical Examiner found the cause of death was dehydration and malnutrition from child neglect and ruled the death a homicide. Toxicology reports showed no signs the child had ingested any chemicals or drugs.  The couple was arrested in July after police were called to their home because the boy was not breathing.  An investigation turned up a Meth lab in the home.  The suspects were initially charged with operating the lab within the presence of a minor as well as near a school.  If they are convicted on the drug charges, the man faces a maximum of 40 years in prison because of a previous drug conviction and the woman faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.  If they are convicted of the second-degree murder charges, they face a penalty of up to life in prison.

In Oklahoma - Four people face Meth manufacturing charges after officers allegedly found a home Meth lab during a search.  Fumes from the alleged lab overcame one police officer during the raid; he was treated and released.  Two children were found in a room adjacent to the Meth lab area were examined at a hospital and then placed in protective custody.  Police honed in on the Meth operation after noticing an extreme amount of traffic at the house and tracking one suspect who was allegedly buying unusually large amounts of chemicals commonly used to manufacture Meth.  All four suspects face possible charges ranging from child endangerment, Meth possession and manufacturing and more.

In South Carolina - A 60-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man are charged with two counts of Meth manufacturing after deputies found equipment for a Meth lab in their home.  Officers also found components of a Meth lab in a storage unit the couple rented. 

Back to Latest Meth News - A Snapshot