Roberta Diane Dempsey, Meth Conspiracy, South Dakota 2023

Federal Court Hands Down 10-Year Prison Sentence in Methamphetamine Conspiracy Case

In a high-profile case, a 58-year-old Sioux Falls woman has been handed a 10-year prison sentence for her involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy.

According to court records, Roberta Diane Dempsey, 58, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Dempsey was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, a charge brought forth by a federal grand jury in December of 2021. Her sentencing took place on March 13, 2023.

Prosecutors revealed that Dempsey allowed her co-conspirators to use her home to store and repackage multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine. She also obtained small quantities of methamphetamine from her co-conspirator to distribute to others. Notably, Dempsey was personally involved in the distribution of over 500 grams of methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by a coalition of law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Moody County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Following her sentencing, Dempsey was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/sioux-falls-woman-sentenced-10-years-meth-conspiracy