Scott Deisinger, Meth Distribution, Rapid City SD, 2023

RAPID CITY, SD – Scott Deisinger, 52, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced Friday for his role in a methamphetamine distribution operation. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken handed down a five-year sentence, followed by four years of supervised release, and ordered Deisinger to pay a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The sentence stems from charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

The bust originated August 7, 2022, when Rapid City Police Department officers pulled over a stolen vehicle. Deisinger was behind the wheel, alone, and a subsequent search turned up a cocktail of criminal activity. Along with marijuana, officers discovered approximately 90 grams of methamphetamine, clear indicators the drugs were intended for sale, and three firearms – two of which were also reported stolen. The sheer volume of meth suggests Deisinger wasn’t just a user, but a key player in supplying the streets.

Federal prosecutors secured an indictment against Deisinger in October 2022. He eventually pleaded guilty on April 14, avoiding a potentially longer sentence at trial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich led the prosecution, building a case based on the evidence seized during the traffic stop and subsequent investigation. The forfeiture of the three firearms and ammunition removes dangerous tools from Deisinger’s reach, and potentially prevents further criminal activity.

The investigation wasn’t a solo effort. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) – a multi-agency task force comprised of Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard – all contributed to bringing Deisinger to justice. This collaborative approach highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling drug trafficking and related crimes.

U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell framed the case within the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, a program focused on reducing violent crime through targeted enforcement and community partnerships. PSN aims to address the root causes of crime and provide opportunities for rehabilitation, though in Deisinger’s case, the focus was squarely on incapacitation. The program’s effectiveness will be judged by whether this conviction disrupts the local methamphetamine supply chain.

Deisinger was immediately taken into custody by U.S. Marshals to begin serving his five-year sentence. While this conviction represents a win for law enforcement, the fight against drug trafficking in Rapid City, and across South Dakota, is far from over. The Grimy Times will continue to report on these cases as they unfold, exposing the underbelly of federal crime and holding offenders accountable.

Related Federal Cases