Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Possession and Distribution of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on August 6, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Shaun Chayne Condon, age 33, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, forfeiture of a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol, $2,306 in United States currency, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Condon was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 14, 2018.  He pled guilty on May 22, 2018.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on May 25, 2017, when Condon knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, in South Dakota.  Found in Condon’s possession during the execution of a search warrant, was $2,306 in U.S. currency and a pistol.  Condon being an unlawful user of, and addicted to a controlled substance, makes it illegal for him to possess firearms.

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity.  Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers.  It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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