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Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
Phillip LaBatte, a 24-year-old man from Eagle Butte, South Dakota, has been sentenced for his role in a marijuana trafficking operation. According to court documents, LaBatte was found to be in possession of at least 250 grams but less than 1 kilogram of marijuana, along with a scale, rolling papers, and a grinder, during a search of his residence.
The investigation, which was conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Division and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, revealed that LaBatte was involved in a string of burglaries in Eagle Butte. When questioned, several juveniles confessed to committing the burglaries, and LaBatte’s residence was identified as a potential location for the stolen items.
LaBatte was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 16, 2012, and pled guilty to Count III of the Indictment on June 13, 2013. The conviction was a result of the investigation into the burglaries and the discovery of the marijuana and related paraphernalia at LaBatte’s residence.
On August 29, 2013, U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange sentenced LaBatte to time served, which had been approximately 7 months, 2 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. LaBatte was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service due to two outstanding warrants in North Dakota on unrelated charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case, bringing LaBatte to justice for his role in the marijuana trafficking operation. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat crime and keep our communities safe.
The investigation and prosecution of LaBatte’s case were made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Division, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota.
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson commended the investigators and prosecutors involved in the case, stating, ‘The conviction and sentence of Phillip LaBatte demonstrate our commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions and keeping our communities safe from the scourge of drug trafficking.’
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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