Fort Thompson Man Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

Fort Thompson Man Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

The following press release was published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys on April 12, 2019. It is reproduced in full below.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.

Benjamin Big Eagle, a/k/a Benji Big Eagle, age 32, was indicted on Nov. 14, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 4, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $10,000,000 fine, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that beginning no later than on or about Jan. 1, 2017, and continuing to on or about Nov. 14, 2018, Big Eagle knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

The charge is merely an accusation and Big Eagle is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.

Big Eagle was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has been set for May 28, 2019.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys

More News