Matthew Shade, a resident of Tea, South Dakota, was sentenced on May 4 to 21 years and six months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Sioux Falls area. U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier handed down the sentence after Shade pleaded guilty earlier this year.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address drug trafficking in South Dakota. The investigation revealed that Shade led a drug trafficking organization that sourced drugs from Arizona and distributed them throughout the state, using both mail services and car trips.
According to United States Attorney Ron Parsons, "This was another skillfully managed takedown of a serial drug dealer and his operation by the dedicated officers on the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, with a strong assist from the Criminal Investigations Unit of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. In all likelihood, the fentanyl and methamphetamine seized from this criminal’s operation would have killed some people who are alive right now in Sioux Falls. This investigation, prosecution, and substantial federal prison sentence has given them another chance at life. I will never stop being grateful for that.”
Investigators began tracking Shade's group after intercepting packages containing large quantities of methamphetamine sent through the mail in December 2024. They later seized parcels with about $26,000 sent from Sioux Falls to Arizona as part of payment for drugs. A traffic stop conducted by South Dakota Highway Patrol led to the discovery of approximately 26 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 2,000 fentanyl pills being transported into South Dakota by an associate from Arizona. Further searches found additional narcotics at Shade's residence.
Shade was identified as organizing shipments between states and supplying multiple sub-distributors with methamphetamine for redistribution locally. Authorities estimate that around 200 pounds of methamphetamine were trafficked into Sioux Falls during this operation.
The case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force along with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigations unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted it.
The office responsible for prosecuting this case enforces federal laws across its district while supporting public safety initiatives according to its official website. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is recognized as both chief federal law enforcement office for its district as well as handling both criminal prosecutions and civil cases dating back to its origins in 1861.
