Eagle Butte Man Smokey Jandreau Copped to Meth Deals, Gun Possession

Smokey James Jandreau, 39, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, is staring down a federal prison sentence after being indicted on charges of distributing methamphetamine and illegally possessing a firearm. The indictment, handed down August 16, 2016, by a federal grand jury, ties Jandreau to three separate drug transactions and a loaded weapon found while he was actively using controlled substances.

Jandreau allegedly distributed meth on three dates—July 2, 6, and 24, 2016—within the District of South Dakota. Each act, according to the indictment, involved knowingly and intentionally passing off a mixture containing a detectable amount of the Schedule II drug. Federal prosecutors are treating the case as a clear-cut pattern of distribution, not casual use.

The gun charge hits harder. On July 26, 2016, just days after the last alleged drug deal, Jandreau was found in possession of a firearm—unlawful under federal law because he’s classified as an addicted user of controlled substances. That status strips him of Second Amendment rights, turning possession into a standalone federal felony.

If convicted, Jandreau could face up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for the drug distribution counts, plus up to life on supervised release. The firearm charge carries a maximum of 10 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine, with a mandatory 3 years of supervision post-release. Both counts require a $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution may be imposed.

Jandreau stood before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on November 2, 2016, and entered a plea of not guilty. Despite his plea, he was remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service, deemed a flight risk or danger to the community. No bond was offered.

The investigation was led by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, highlighting tribal-federal cooperation in prosecuting crimes on reservation land. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan is handling prosecution. Trial is set for November 29, 2016. The charges remain allegations; Jandreau is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.