Manderson Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Marijuana

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Nathan Ghost, age 49, of Manderson, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on August 24, 2012, and pleaded guilty to an indictment that charged him with Distribution of a Controlled Substance. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 5 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

The charge relates to Ghost distributing marijuana near Manderson in May 2011. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura Shattuck.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for December 14, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.