PIERRE – A Pierre woman was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for her role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation in the Pierre area.
Heather Stahlhoefer, age 38, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $1000 fine, as well as a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
The sentencing took place on May 14, 2025, after Stahlhoefer pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy on March 10, 2025. She was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024.
The conspiracy, which began in June 2023 and continued until September 2024, involved Stahlhoefer and her co-defendant, Misty Stahlhoefer, who were the source of supply to several other individuals in the Pierre area. The duo would acquire up to 1 pound of methamphetamine per trip to be further distributed by themselves and others.
Prosecutors said that the conspiracy involved between 10,000 and 30,000 kilograms of converted drug weight, including 550 grams of pure methamphetamine that was recovered during a traffic stop of Heather Stahlhoefer.
Others involved in the conspiracy, including Whitney Marrowbone, Wendy Mealer, Brent Larvie, and David Rinehart, were previously sentenced on May 5, 2025. Marrowbone was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison, Mealer was sentenced to six years in federal prison, Larvie was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison, and Rinehart was sentenced to two years in federal prison.
Stahlhoefer was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. The case was investigated by the FBI Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Pierre Police Department, the Chamberlain Police Department, and the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Dilges. Defendant: Heather Stahlhoefer. Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. City and State: Pierre, South Dakota. Date: May 14, 2025. Sentence: 18 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $1000 fine, as well as a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant: Heather Stahlhoefer
- Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance
- City and State: Pierre, South Dakota
- Date: May 14, 2025
- Sentence: 18 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $1000 fine, as well as a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund
Related Federal Cases
- Kristina Rae Lofton, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, South Dakota 2017 · South Dakota
- Reva Dawn Janis-Bauer, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, South Dakota 2019 · South Dakota
- Julissa Poor Bear, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, South Dakota 2020 · South Dakota
- Ashton Aman, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, South Dakota 2021 · South Dakota
- Justin Bradford, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, South Dakota 2022 · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking