Victoria Lee Running Hawk, Methamphetamine Trafficking, South Dakota 2013

State: South Dakota
Category: Drug Trafficking
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/pine-ridge-woman-sentenced-168-months-possession-intent-distribute-methamphetamine" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

Pine Ridge Woman Sentenced to 168 Months for Methamphetamine Trafficking

A Pine Ridge woman was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, officials announced.

Victoria Lee Running Hawk, 31, was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment, 4 years’ supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken of the U.S. District Court, according to U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson.

The sentence stems from an investigation that began on September 16, 2012, when Running Hawk was stopped for speeding on I-90. Law enforcement officials discovered she was in possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Running Hawk pleaded guilty to the charge on February 28, 2013. The case was investigated by the Drug Administration Enforcement, the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted L. McBride prosecuted the case, which resulted in Running Hawk being sentenced to a significant prison term. She was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.

This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against methamphetamine trafficking in the region.

Brendan V. Johnson, U.S. Attorney, stated that the sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense and the need to protect the community from the devastating effects of methamphetamine.

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