United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Wood, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Prohibited Person in Possession of Firearms.
David Blue Bird, age 25, was indicted by superseding indictment on March 12, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 15, 2019, and pled not guilty.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Count. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Superseding Indictment alleges that on or about the 8th day of September, 2018, through the 26th day of January, 2019, Blue Bird did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more methamphetamine and, being an unlawful user of methamphetamine, did knowingly receive and possess three firearms.
The charges are merely an accusation and Blue Bird is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Blue Bird was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys