Ellsworth, Minnesota Man Sentenced to More than 22 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced an Ellsworth, Minnesota man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 27, 2025.

Lugene Rafael Russell, 56, was sentenced to 22 and a half years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Russell was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in November 2024. He pleaded guilty on August 5, 2025.

Russell’s conviction stems from an incident in July 2024 when law enforcement officers were called to his home in Ellsworth for a report of a crime. Nobles County Sherrif’s deputies eventually obtained a warrant for the home and found approximately a half pound of methamphetamine and a pistol inside the home.  Deputies later returned to the home after a tip and found approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine and three more firearms.  The investigation showed that Russell worked with others to obtain methamphetamine and then distribute it to others including those on the Crow Creek and Lower Brule reservations in South Dakota. 

This case was investigated by the DEA and Nobles County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Russell was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.