Meth Hauler Morris Gets 10 Years Federal Time

RAPID CITY, SD – A Minnesota man is off the streets and headed to federal prison after a substantial haul of methamphetamine landed him a decade-long sentence. U.S. Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes handed down the 10-year term to Jeremy Morris, 44, of Orr, Minnesota, on January 31, 2023, following a conviction for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Morris won’t be seeing parole anytime soon. In addition to the 10 years behind bars, Judge Kobes tacked on five years of supervised release following his incarceration. Morris was also ordered to pony up a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund – a paltry sum considering the damage his actions could have caused.

The case began to unfold in July of 2022 when a federal grand jury indicted Morris on the drug charge. He quickly cut a deal, pleading guilty on October 14, 2022. The facts are stark: Morris was traveling near Sturgis, South Dakota when law enforcement pulled him over. A search of his vehicle revealed a staggering 4.985 kilograms of methamphetamine, along with a firearm. Morris readily admitted he wasn’t holding the drugs for personal use; he intended to push them further into the distribution network.

The bust was the result of a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies. The Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), alongside its northern counterpart UNET-N, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension all contributed to the investigation. UNET itself is a consortium of Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. UNET-N includes Spearfish Police Department, Deadwood Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and again, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich handled the prosecution, building a solid case that clearly demonstrated Morris’s intent to profit from the spread of a highly dangerous drug. The evidence was damning, and the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime. The operation highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the region and the commitment of federal and state agencies to dismantle these networks.

Following the sentencing, Morris was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He’ll have plenty of time to reflect on his choices during the next decade, and the damage he inflicted on the community. This conviction sends a clear message: hauling large quantities of meth through South Dakota will land you a long stay in federal prison.