United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Corey Brandon Morrison, age 24, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota appeared before U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier on May 17, 2013 for a change of plea hearing. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Morrison pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Analogue and one count of Money Laundering.
The drug charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. The maximum sentence for the money laundering charge is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Under federal law, a controlled substance analogue is a substance which has a chemical structure that is similar to certain controlled substances and has an effect on the central nervous system which is intended to be similar to those controlled substances. Where controlled substance analogues are intended for human consumption, they are treated as controlled substances.
Morrison was indicted on Oct. 10, 2012 by a federal grand jury. The indictment was the result of an investigation involving the Roll With It stores located in Sioux Falls.
Morrison’s conviction stems from his involvement in a drug conspiracy he joined in September 2011. As a participant in this conspiracy, Morrison sold analogue drugs to businesses in Sioux Falls where it was, in turn, sold to customers. Morrison was aware the customers were ingesting the substances to get high. Additionally, he deposited the illegal monetary gain into his personal bank account.
“Last year we stated that we would aggressively pursue anyone who was involved in the distribution of analogue drugs in South Dakota. We said what we meant, and meant what we said. There will be consequences for anyone who sells these drugs in our state," said U.S. Attorney Johnson following the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson and Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Haak are prosecuting the case.
Morrison’s sentencing has been scheduled for Aug. 2, 2013. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
