Interior Man Pleads Guilty To Distribution Of A Controlled Substance

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Gerald Baker, Sr., age 27, of Interior, South Dakota appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on February 8, 2013 and pled guilty to distribution of a controlled substance. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 5 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.

On March 5, 2012 Baker distributed more than 5 grams of marijuana at Kyle, South Dakota. The investigation was conducted by Operation Eagle Eye, a drug interdiction program conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, whose member agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the Pierre Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe – Department of Public Safety. In addition to Task Force members, other agencies assisting were the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Martin Police Department, the U.S. Marshal's Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted L. McBride.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for June 11, 2013. The defendant was released on bond pending acceptance of this plea and sentencing.