Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Carlin Mellette, a 29-year-old from Mandan, North Dakota, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on May 19, 2025. Mellette's conviction was for the distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death.
In addition to his prison sentence, Mellette will serve five years of supervised release and must forfeit a firearm. He is also required to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Mellette was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023 and pleaded guilty on September 30, 2024. His conviction is linked to events on February 26, 2023, when he provided fentanyl pills at a residence in Aberdeen, South Dakota. These pills were ingested by the victim and led to their overdose death.
On the same day as the incident, Walworth County Sheriff’s deputies attempted an unrelated traffic stop on Mellette's vehicle for speeding near Aberdeen. A pursuit ensued over 26 miles with speeds exceeding 100 mph until Mellette's vehicle became stuck in a snowbank. A subsequent search revealed methamphetamine, additional fentanyl pills, drug paraphernalia, and a Ruger .45 caliber pistol.
The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and several sheriff’s offices from surrounding counties. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement and communities.
Following his sentencing, Mellette was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
