Walter Willard Wright, Meth Trafficking, South Dakota 2019

Grimy Times has learned that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been sentenced for his role in a massive methamphetamine trafficking operation.

Walter Willard Wright, 37, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. On July 29, 2019, U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange handed down the sentence.

Wright was ordered to serve 160 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for the conspiracy conviction. He was also sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for the firearm conviction. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Additionally, Wright was ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

The conviction stems from a conspiracy that occurred between October 1, 2016, and January 31, 2017, in which Wright and Co-Defendant Micole Menard knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute between 1.5 kilograms and 5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

On January 18, 2017, during the execution of a search warrant at Wright's home, 267 grams of methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia were seized, along with four firearms. Wright, being a felon and unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance, did knowingly illegally possess those firearms.

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/mission-man-sentenced-meth-and-firearm-charges