SIOUX FALLS – A massive drug trafficking operation was brought to a halt as Rikki Barrowman, the alleged kingpin of a methamphetamine distribution ring, was sentenced to nearly 23 years in federal prison. United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced the sentencing following a guilty plea by Barrowman, who admitted to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Barrowman’s criminal enterprise spanned across Pierre, Rapid City, and several South Dakota reservations, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which played a pivotal role in dismantling Barrowman’s operation.
“Drug traffickers who flood our communities with illegal narcotics will be met with the full force of federal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “We are committed to protecting the public by disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations.”
The sentencing is a result of a long-term investigation carried out by federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies in South Dakota. The coordinated efforts among the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force (SFADTF), Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force contributed to the successful prosecution of Barrowman.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case against Barrowman, who was also ordered to pay a substantial fine as part of his sentence.
This significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking underscores the dedication of law enforcement agencies in South Dakota to keeping their communities safe from the dangers of illegal drugs.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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