Veronica Arciniega, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, South Dakota 2020

Convicted Meth Kingpin Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison

On January 28, 2020, Veronica Arciniega, a 42-year-old woman from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced for her role in a massive methamphetamine conspiracy in South Dakota.

According to court documents, Arciniega was found guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, a felony charge that carries severe penalties.

The investigation, led by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Valentine, Nebraska Police Department, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, revealed that Arciniega was the mastermind behind a methamphetamine ring that operated in and around the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Prosecutors alleged that Arciniega, who had a direct connection to the source of methamphetamine in Iowa, transported ounces of the illicit substance to a home in the Sicangu Village, where it was distributed to others.

Arciniega was arrested and later indicted by a federal grand jury on July 16, 2019. She pled guilty to the charges on November 7, 2019.

On January 28, 2020, Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, handed down a 33-month prison sentence, followed by 3 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Arciniega was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons praised the collaborative efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.

The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of methamphetamine trafficking and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/iowa-woman-sentenced-conspiracy-distribute-methamphetamine