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Swan Gets Five Years for Cross-Country Pot Run
ABERDEEN, SD – Lawrence Swan, 63, of Olympia, Washington, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced for his role in a multi-state marijuana trafficking operation. U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann handed down a five-year sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, on June 10, 2024.
The sentence comes after Swan pleaded guilty on March 10, 2024, to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in January 2022, detailed a scheme to purchase marijuana in Washington and funnel it eastward, including stops in South Dakota. Federal prosecutors detailed Swan made five cross-country trips to distribute the drugs.
The bust that ultimately brought Swan down occurred December 13, 2021, outside McLaughlin, South Dakota. Corson County Sheriff’s deputies pulled Swan over and discovered a massive haul: over 80 pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, and a substantial amount of cash. Investigators quickly linked the seizure to a larger operation spanning from January 1, 2020, to the date of his arrest.
Prosecutors revealed Swan admitted to distributing over 280 pounds of marijuana during the course of the conspiracy. Beyond the prison sentence, Swan was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The operation wasn’t a small-time affair; it represents a significant influx of illegal narcotics into multiple states.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Corson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, highlighting the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling cross-state drug trafficking. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges led the prosecution, securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing.
Following the sentencing, Swan was immediately taken into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his five-year term. This case serves as a stark reminder that moving large quantities of illegal drugs across state lines carries severe federal penalties. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases in South Dakota and beyond.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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