A multi-agency law enforcement team was recognized on July 22 for its role in the investigation and prosecution of United States v. Curtis Cummings, et al., which was selected by the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area as the Outstanding Overdose Investigative Effort of the Year. The lead prosecutor, Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Dilges, and lead investigator, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Patrick Rose, received the award during a ceremony at the Public Safety Building in Rapid City.
“This was an incredible investigative effort that delivered justice for the victims of this horrible crime and improved public safety by preventing further deaths that would have resulted from the illegal activities of these defendants,” said U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons, “I could not be more proud of this law enforcement team and I am so grateful their outstanding efforts have been recognized and honored with this award.”
Dan Neill, Executive Director of Midwest HIDTA, Office of National Drug Control Policy, said, “Midwest HIDTA, in partnership with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), is proud to support our federal, state, local, Tribal, and prosecutorial partners in identifying, disrupting, and dismantling criminal organizations that exploit vulnerable communities. While no investigation can undo the tragic loss of life in this case,
we recognize the dedication and professionalism of the investigators, analysts, prosecutors, and support personnel whose tireless efforts helped bring those responsible to justice.”
The investigation began after a young man was found deceased from fentanyl toxicity at a gas station in Rapid City in April 2022. The South Dakota Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team led an inquiry using digital forensics and other techniques to identify four individuals—Curtis Cummings, Katey McGruder, Christina Sanchez, and Wyatt Nygaard—involved in distributing fentanyl to the victim. Prosecutors determined that Cummings and McGruder regularly obtained fentanyl from Colorado before distributing it locally through co-conspirators.
In 2023 a federal grand jury indicted all four on charges related to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death. Sanchez, McGruder, and Nygaard pleaded guilty; Nygaard received over 23 years’ imprisonment while Sanchez and McGruder were each sentenced to 20 years. Cummings was convicted at trial and sentenced to 30 years.
The Midwest HIDTA includes counties across seven states with programs aimed at reducing drug trafficking through coordinated law enforcement initiatives.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota is responsible for enforcing federal laws across its district as chief federal law enforcement office; it supports initiatives improving public safety by handling both criminal prosecutions and civil cases, according to the official website.