Brian Dewayne Johnson, Meth Trafficking, Oklahoma 2023

Related Federal Cases

San Jacinto Man ‘Fat Boy’ Gets 10 Years for Meth Trafficking · Oklahoma
Brian Dewayne Johnson Gets 80 Months for Meth Trafficking · Colorado
Nicholas Anthony Rodriguez Gets 15.7 Years for Meth Trafficking · Oklahoma
Stanislaus County Man Gets 19 Years for Meth Trafficking · Oklahoma
Four Sentenced in Massive South Dakota Meth Conspiracy · Nebraska

Table of Contents

Meth Traffickers Sentenced to Decades in Prison

Two Spearfish residents, Enrique Estrada, Jr., a/k/a Ricky Estrada, 43, and Kari Lee Vaughn, a/k/a Kari Drury, 35, were recently sentenced for their roles in a massive methamphetamine distribution scheme in western South Dakota.

According to court documents, Estrada and Vaughn were convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, a charge that relates to the distribution of multiple pounds of methamphetamine in the Northern Hills region between October 2017 and September 2018.

Estrada, who coordinated several co-conspirators to obtain methamphetamine from Colorado, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Vaughn, who wired money for Estrada and traveled to Colorado to assist in obtaining the methamphetamine, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The investigation, led by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, involved assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Deadwood Police Department, Spearfish Police Department, and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team.

The case was prosecuted by Gina S. Nelson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and resulted in additional arrests at the state and federal level. Estrada and Vaughn were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The sentences handed down to Estrada and Vaughn serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in organized crime. As the region continues to grapple with the devastating effects of methamphetamine distribution, law enforcement agencies remain committed to dismantling these networks and bringing perpetrators to justice.

The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the importance of interagency cooperation and the tireless efforts of law enforcement to protect the public and keep our communities safe.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons emphasized the significance of this case, saying, ‘The sentences handed down to Estrada and Vaughn are a testament to the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies in South Dakota. We will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle organized crime networks and bring those responsible to justice.’

RELATED: Fentanyl Kingpin Jailed