Aberdeen Woman Sentenced in Methamphetamine Conspiracy

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Aberdeen, South Dakota woman convicted for her participation in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine was sentenced on September 10, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Maria Alexa Keuseman, a/k/a Maria Alexa Kebseman, age 27, was sentenced to 135 months in custody to be followed by 8 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Keuseman was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury on August 8, 2018. She pled guilty on June 11, 2018.

Keuseman and her co-conspirator, David Dwayne Leemhuis, purchased methamphetamine to distribute in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and elsewhere. On June 8, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Keuseman’s home in Sioux Falls and located approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine in a safe and approximately 16 grams of methamphetamine in her purse.

This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga prosecuted the case.

Keuseman was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.