Meth & Gun Queen Sentenced to 8 Years: Megan Smith, a 39-year-old Hermosa woman, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for her role in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation in Rapid City.
A federal grand jury indicted Smith on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person in June 2020. She pleaded guilty to the charges in May 2021.
According to court documents, Smith was found to be in possession of multiple firearms, some of which were stolen, and a sawed-off shotgun during a traffic stop in Rapid City in March 2020. The search also uncovered methamphetamine and evidence of a large-scale distribution operation in the area.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime in communities. PSN brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to identify and address the most pressing violent crime problems in the community.
Following her sentencing, Smith was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. She was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund as part of her sentence.
As part of her supervised release, Smith will be required to serve five years under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office. The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in large-scale drug trafficking and firearm offenses in the region.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) has proven to be effective in reducing violent crime in communities across the country. Through PSN, law enforcement and community stakeholders work together to identify and address the root causes of violent crime, ultimately leading to safer neighborhoods and communities.
Related Federal Cases
- Eagle Butte Man Smokey Jandreau Copped to Meth Deals, Gun Possession · South Dakota
- Eagle Butte Man Indicted on Meth, Gun Charges · South Dakota
- Dupree Woman Faces 20 Years in Meth & Gun Case · South Dakota
- Kenel Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Meth · Iowa
- Mission Woman Indicted for Intent to Distribute Meth · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
