Kurtis Jensen, Conspiracy to Distribute Meth, South Dakota 2022

Waterloo, Iowa, resident Kurtis Jensen, 43, was sentenced to nine years and six months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in South Dakota. This conviction stems from an agreement or understanding Jensen reached to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in the District of South Dakota.

Jensen was arrested on May 17, 2020, by a South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper after being stopped in a vehicle. The trooper searched the vehicle and found four ounces of methamphetamine, which Jensen intended to deliver to a co-conspirator in Iowa. Jensen had an extensive criminal history and was on parole at the time of his arrest.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case. Jensen was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Jensen was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury on April 6, 2021. He pled guilty on April 7, 2022. The sentencing occurred on July 5, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier. Jensen was ordered to pay a special assessment of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. The sentence handed down to Jensen reflects the seriousness of the crime and the need for severe consequences for those involved in the distribution of controlled substances.

Jensen’s conviction and sentence demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations. The cooperation between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the South Dakota Highway Patrol played a crucial role in bringing Jensen to justice.

The exact dates and details of Jensen’s actions are as follows: Jensen reached an agreement or came to an understanding to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in the District of South Dakota. This agreement or understanding lasted from an unknown date until April 6, 2021.

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