Klein & Spears, Conspiracy to Distribute Meth, South Dakota 2022

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE

Two individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution ring in central South Dakota.

Shannon Spears, a 44-year-old woman from Fort Pierre, South Dakota, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. In addition to her prison sentence, Spears was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

John Klein, a 45-year-old man from Pierre, South Dakota, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Klein was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

The convictions stem from Klein and Spears conspiring with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute methamphetamine in and around central South Dakota. Klein utilized sources of supply of methamphetamine from Minnesota and Colorado to bring large amounts of methamphetamine to the Pierre area, where he would utilize individuals, including Spears, to distribute that methamphetamine in and around central South Dakota. It was reasonably foreseeable that over 500 grams of methamphetamine was distributed during the course of the conspiracy.

Klein’s spouse, Taylor Huemoeller, a/k/a, Taylor Klein, who was also involved in the conspiracy, is set to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. Randy Little Shield was previously sentenced to 10 years in federal custody for his role in the conspiracy.

This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the FBI, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

Klein and Spears were both immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Mandatory Facts:

1. Defendant: Shannon Spears and John Klein

2. Crimes: Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

3. City and State: Fort Pierre, South Dakota, and Pierre, South Dakota

4. Date: June 28, 2022

5. Sentence: 121 months in federal prison (Spears) and 20 years in federal prison (Klein)

6. Dollar Amounts: $1,000 fine and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100

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