Anne Cordier, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, South Dakota 2023

PIERRE, S.D. – Anne Cordier, 41, of Mission, South Dakota, is facing a decade behind bars after being sentenced Tuesday for her role in a wide-ranging methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange of the U.S. District Court handed down the 10-year federal prison sentence, followed by five years of supervised release.

Cordier was initially indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022 and pleaded guilty on April 13th of this year. Court documents reveal that starting in January 2022, Cordier worked with others to flood South Dakota with methamphetamine, specifically targeting the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Investigators say Cordier was a key link in the chain, receiving pound quantities of the drug directly from a source in California.

The operation wasn’t some small-time hustle. Cordier wasn’t just holding drugs; she was actively re-distributing them within the community, profiting from the addiction that plagues so many reservations. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it carries a high potential for abuse and severe psychological or physical dependence.

Federal agents from multiple agencies brought the case down. The investigation was a joint effort involving the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges led the prosecution, successfully arguing for the lengthy sentence.

In addition to the prison time and supervised release, Cordier was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. A paltry sum, considering the damage her actions inflicted. She was immediately taken into custody by U.S. Marshals, ending her freedom and hopefully disrupting a dangerous network.

This case serves as a grim reminder of the relentless flow of narcotics into vulnerable communities. While one dealer is off the streets, the demand – and the supply – continues. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal investigations and report on those who profit from misery, no matter where they operate.

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