RAPID CITY, SD – Michael Carey, 57, is headed to federal prison for two decades after being sentenced for his role as a major distributor of methamphetamine in western South Dakota. Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken handed down the 20-year sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The case highlights the persistent flow of drugs into the state and the coordinated efforts to combat it.
U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons didn’t mince words, calling Carey “a major source of meth sold in western South Dakota.” Parsons assured the public that a multi-agency task force is relentlessly targeting drug trafficking organizations. “And anyone still trafficking illegal drugs in this state should understand that they are next on the list,” he added, a clear warning to anyone contemplating similar criminal activity.
The investigation, which began in late 2018, revealed Carey’s sophisticated operation. A federal grand jury indicted Carey on November 20, 2018, on charges of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Carey later pled guilty to the conspiracy charge on February 15, 2019, avoiding a potentially longer sentence.
Court documents detail Carey’s repeated trips to California, where he sourced large quantities of methamphetamine. Upon returning to South Dakota, he would then coordinate with accomplices to distribute the drugs throughout the Black Hills region. The operation came crashing down after a traffic stop revealed approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within his vehicle while he was returning from one of his sourcing trips.
The bust was the result of a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the local Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina Nelson skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the lengthy sentence. Importantly, federal charges are still pending against an additional co-conspirator involved in Carey’s network, indicating that the investigation is ongoing.
Carey was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service and will begin serving his sentence in a federal prison facility. This conviction and sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the severe consequences awaiting those who profit from the misery caused by methamphetamine addiction. The Grimy Times will continue to follow developments in the case of Carey’s co-conspirator and other drug trafficking operations across the nation.
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Related Federal Cases
- Meth Man Morris Gets 10 Years Federal Time · Minnesota
- California Conspirator Daniel Fiero Navarrette Gets 15-Year Meth Sentence · South Dakota
- Georgia Woman Gets 5+ Years for SD Meth Bust · Georgia
- Georgia Woman Gets 11+ Years for SD Meth & Money Scheme · Georgia
- Aberdeen Meth Dealer Kapit Gets 5 Years Federal Time · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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