Devan McKenzie, Methamphetamine Trafficking, South Dakota 2023

RAPID CITY – In a shocking turn of events, a Sturgis woman was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for her role in a massive methamphetamine trafficking operation that spanned the Midwest.

According to court documents, Devan McKenzie, 27, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The sentencing took place on August 28, 2023, after McKenzie pleaded guilty on April 14, 2023, to charges brought by a federal grand jury in December of 2021. The grand jury indicted McKenzie on three counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl).

Investigators revealed that McKenzie began selling controlled substances with Brook and Dustin Staeffler in February of 2020. The group made arrangements to obtain the drugs in Colorado and then transport them to South Dakota. McKenzie transported the substances on several occasions and recruited her own sub-distributors to further sell the drugs in the Rapid City area.

The investigation, led by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, uncovered a staggering amount of illicit substances, including at least 1.29 kilograms of methamphetamine, 857.5 grams of fentanyl, and 860.5 grams of heroin. During the search of McKenzie’s residence, law enforcement located drugs and items indicating she was actively engaged in selling illegal substances.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case, which was a collaborative effort between the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard.

McKenzie was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, bringing an end to a prolonged investigation that has left a significant impact on the community. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of drug trafficking and the importance of continued efforts to combat this growing problem.

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