Luis Olivares, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, South Dakota 2014

Rapid City Man Convicted of Leading Methamphetamine Ring

Luis Olivares, a 42-year-old Rapid City man, has been found guilty of leading a massive methamphetamine ring in Rapid City and western South Dakota. Olivares was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Firearms During a Drug Trafficking Crime, Felon and Fugitive in Possession of Firearms, Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, and Distribution of Methamphetamine.

The charges against Olivares carry a 20-year minimum mandatory sentence and up to life in custody, as well as a $20,000,000 fine. The federal jury returned the guilty verdict on December 10, 2014, at the conclusion of an eight-day jury trial in Rapid City.

Olivares was accused of recruiting others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in South Dakota and elsewhere dating back to 2008. The investigation revealed that Olivares distributed the substance with his co-conspirators in Rapid City and western South Dakota, despite being prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions.

A turning point in the case came when Olivares crashed his vehicle while attempting to elude law enforcement during a high-speed chase. Several packages of methamphetamine were found inside the vehicle, leading to his apprehension.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Rapid City Police Department, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn N. Rich and Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

Olivares was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, pending a presentence investigation and a sentencing date, which has not yet been set. The conviction is a significant blow to the methamphetamine trade in Rapid City and western South Dakota, and serves as a reminder of the long-term consequences of involvement in the drug trade.

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