Thomas Prado, Meth Trafficking Conspiracy, South Dakota 2022
Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Meth Trafficking Conspiracy
Thomas Prado, a 57-year-old man from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his involvement in a meth trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents, Prado was responsible for bringing between 1.5 and 5 kilograms of methamphetamine to South Dakota during his involvement in the conspiracy. He obtained the methamphetamine in California and shipped it to South Dakota via the U.S. Postal Service to post office boxes in Pine Ridge and Rushville, Nebraska. On several occasions, he also transported the methamphetamine himself from California.
Prado dispersed the methamphetamine to others for use and distribution primarily in the Pine Ridge area. His actions were part of a larger conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Prado was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 19, 2021, for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. He pleaded guilty to the indictment on March 25, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced the sentencing, which was handed down by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange on July 1, 2022. In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, Prado was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Prado was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. The case was investigated by the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case. The sentencing is a significant blow to Prado and his associates, who were involved in a large-scale meth trafficking operation in the region.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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