Wanblee Man Pleads to Possessing Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Keith Brown, age 30, of Wanblee, appeared before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on October 14, 2011, and pled guilty to Count I of an indictment that charged him with Possession With Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 5 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.

In May 2010, after a traffic stop conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribal Police, Brown was found to be in possession of marijuana, which he intended to distribute. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for December 30, 2011. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.