Batesland Man Sentenced for Marijuana Conspiracy

A Batesland man has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a marijuana conspiracy, federal authorities announced.

Richard Marshall, 46, was sentenced to 60 months in custody, four years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund on December 2, 2013, by U.S. Chief Judge Jeffery L. Viken.

Marshall was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2012. He pled guilty on August 23, 2013.

According to court documents, Marshall received and stored marijuana, in excess of 100 kilograms, from Abraham Romero between 2010 and May 15, 2012, before engaging in further distribution within the District of South Dakota. Marshall was acting as an organizer or leader in this drug conspiracy.

Abraham Romero, a co-conspirator, was previously sentenced to 120 months in custody. This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted L. McBride and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Shattuck prosecuted the case. Marshall was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat marijuana trafficking in the region.

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