United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man and a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
Michael Wayne Cooper, age 57, was indicted on November 6, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on Nov. 27, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
Darcy Ranee Hoff, age 43, was indicted on November 6, 2018. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on Nov. 20, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about Aug. 11, 2018, Cooper and Hoff knowingly and intentionally distributed fentanyl which resulted in serious bodily injury to a victim. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charge is merely an accusation and Cooper and Hoff are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Haak is prosecuting the case.
Cooper and Hoff were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for Jan. 29, 2019.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
