United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Charles Merrival, a 32-year-old man from Rapid City, South Dakota, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier on November 22, 2024. In addition to the prison term, Merrival will serve five years of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his firearm and ammunition.

Merrival's conviction stems from his involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Rapid City between July 2021 and January 2022. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2022 and pleaded guilty on July 8, 2024.

In July 2021, law enforcement stopped Merrival while he was driving a truck and found 10 grams of methamphetamine along with other drug-related items during a search of the vehicle. On January 12, 2022, officers observed him handing over a backpack to an accomplice in a store parking lot. A subsequent search revealed that the backpack contained 40 grams of methamphetamine, a pink semi-automatic pistol, and numerous rounds of ammunition. Additional rounds were found on Merrival himself.

Investigations confirmed Merrival's history of violence and illegal firearm possession due to previous felony convictions. He is also known as a former member and Sergeant-at-Arms of the Ghost Dance Motorcycle Club.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program focuses on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating results.

The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). UNET comprises personnel from several South Dakota law enforcement bodies such as Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and Rapid City Police Department among others.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Troy Morley, Brian Murphy, and Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case against Merrival who was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service after sentencing. He faces additional charges unrelated to this case in Pennington County.