October 16, 2009
Pierre, SD
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Dupree man, with two pending cases in federal court, was sentenced on October 16, 2009, by Chief United States District Judge Karen E. Schreier. Skeets Dolphus, age 28, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, was sentenced to 151 months custody, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 Victims Assistance Fund assessment. Dolphus was also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 41 months custody, to be served consecutively to the 151 months, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 Victims Assistance Fund assessment, for a total of $200 to the Victims Assistance Fund. Dolphus was indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance by a federal grand jury on May 22, 2008. The charges relate to Dolphus conspiring with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in the District of South Dakota and elsewhere between January of 2003 and April of 2007. On March 5, 2009, he was convicted of the charges as a result of a federal jury trial in Pierre. Dolphus was also indicted for two counts each of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury by a federal grand jury on February 11, 2009. The charge relates to Dolphus unlawfully assaulting another with a dangerous weapon, that is, shod feet, with intent to do bodily harm to that person in April of 2007 in Ziebach County. He pled guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon on June 18, 2009. The cases were investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the cases. Dolphus was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. # # # |
