California Woman And Montana Man Charged With Possession With Intent To Distribute A Controlled Substance

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Columbia, California, woman and an Alberton, Montana, man have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Beth Swank, age 52, and Claudio Puccio, age 46, were indicted on January 15, 2014.  They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is not more than 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, at least 2 years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on November 23, 2013, in Lyman County, South Dakota, Swank and Puccio did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute marijuana and hashish, both a Schedule I controlled substance.

The charges are merely accusations and Swank and Puccio are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Swank and Puccio were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for March 25, 2014.