EAGLE BUTTE, SD – Whitney Vaughn Marrowbone, 22, is headed to federal prison after admitting to peddling methamphetamine in his hometown. The Eagle Butte man was sentenced on April 24, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, following a federal investigation and guilty plea.
Marrowbone was convicted on two counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance, stemming from incidents on July 8 and 11, 2016. Court records show he knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, directly within the community of Eagle Butte. This isn’t a case of some far-off supplier; this is someone poisoning their own neighbors.
U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced the sentencing, detailing a 7-month custodial sentence on each count, to be served concurrently. Beyond bars, Marrowbone will face 3 years of supervised release per count, a $500 fine, and a $200 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. It’s a slap on the wrist for dealing poison, but it’s something.
The investigation, a joint effort by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services Narcotics Division and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, began building its case against Marrowbone last year. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 12, 2016, and ultimately entered a guilty plea on February 6, 2017. The feds moved quickly once he copped to the charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan handled the prosecution, bringing the case to a close. Following the sentencing hearing, Marrowbone was immediately handed over to the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his time. Expect more busts like this; the Northern Plains Safe Trails task force is actively working to stem the flow of drugs into tribal lands.
This case serves as a stark reminder that drug dealing carries serious consequences, even in smaller communities. While 7 months isn’t a lengthy sentence, it sends a message: push poison, and you’ll pay the price. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal crime throughout the region, exposing the underbelly of South Dakota and beyond. # # #
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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