Rapid City Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Armando Ixtlilco-Hernandez, age 32, of Rapid City, appeared before US District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on February 14, 2011, and pled guilty to Count I of an indictment that charged him with Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The penalty upon conviction is a minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment and/or a $4,000,000 fine.

Between June 2009 and May 2010, near Rapid City, Ixtlilco-Hernandez participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Mark A. Vargo.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for May 20, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal pending sentencing.