United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, couple has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Vinessa Farmer, a/k/a Vinessa Kills In Water, age 42, and Robert Kills In Water, age 40, were indicted on Feb. 14, 2018. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 19, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $500,000 fine, 4 years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between Aug. 1, 2012, and Aug. 22, 2017, Farmer and Kills In Water, along with a third accomplice, knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others to distribute marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.
The Indictment also alleges that on Aug. 22, 2017, Farmer and Kills In Water knowingly and intentionally possessed marijuana with intent to distribute it in Todd County.
The charges are merely accusations and Farmer and Kills In Water are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Farmer and Kills In Water were released on bond pending trial, which has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
