Rapid City Man Indicted For Distribution Of A Controlled Substance

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota man was indicted by a federal grand jury for Distribution of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.

Jay Paul Gallego, age 27, was indicted on January 23, 2013 for distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime of methamphetamine. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 17, 2013 and pled not guilty to the indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life imprisonment and/or $1,000,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation and Gallego is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Rapid City Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Shattuck is prosecuting the case.

Gallego was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has been set for July 23, 2013.