Sioux Falls, SD – In a significant blow to the city’s illicit drug trade, 49-year-old Courtney Richmond was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for his role in distributing a controlled substance, alongside possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier handed down the sentence on July 23, 2026, following a 4-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls. Richmond was found guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, began in late 2022, with Homeland Security Investigations and the DEA starting to look into Richmond in the fall of 2023. Investigators discovered that Richmond was sourcing methamphetamine to at least one other person, who would then resell it to others.
A review of text and Facebook messages between the two individuals confirmed their involvement in the drug trade. Investigators obtained warrants for Richmond’s person, residences, and vehicles, and on December 14, 2023, they stopped Richmond in a vehicle with his company’s BBQ food truck logo on the side. A search of the vehicle yielded approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded pistol.
Further searches of Richmond’s home and vehicles revealed an additional 216 grams of methamphetamine and another loaded firearm. Richmond’s possession of firearms is prohibited due to four prior felony convictions from the state of Minnesota.
The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine, a significant blow to the local supply of illicit substances. Richmond was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case, with the support of the Brookings Police Department and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Richmond’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in illicit activities and the commitment of law enforcement to keeping communities safe.
Defendant Information:
Full Name: Courtney Richmond
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person
City and State: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Date: July 23, 2026
Sentence: 15 years and 8 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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