Sioux Falls Man Indicted for Possession with Intent to distribute methamphetamine

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Lester Richard Estensen, a/k/a Lester Richard Estenson, age 63, was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 4, 2012. He appeared before US Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on December 6, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and/or a $5 million fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Estensen is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Sioux Falls Police Department, the SD Division of Criminal Investigation, the Sioux Falls Drug Task Force, and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant US Attorney John E. Haak is prosecuting the case.

Estensen was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.