Fort Thompson Man Indicted On Drug Charges

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Christopher Spider, age 35, was indicted on January 13, 2015.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 16, 2015, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.  

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, at least 3 years of supervised release, and $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that commencing on or about September 1, 2014, and continuing through December 29, 2014, Spider knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated and agreed with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  The Indictment also alleges that on or about December 29, 2014, Spider knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

The charges are merely accusations and Spider is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Spider was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.