Four Pierre Residents Sentenced to Substantial Terms in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced four Pierre, South Dakota, residents convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencings took place on May 5, 2025.

Whitney Marrowbone, age 30, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Wendy Mealer, age 49, was sentenced to six years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Brent Larvie, age 36, was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison, followed by three of supervised release.

David Rinehart, age 33, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

All four defendants were each also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

These convictions stemmed from a drug distribution conspiracy beginning in June 2023 and continuing until September 2024.  Marrowbone, Mealer, Larvie, and Rinehart were involved in an extensive conspiracy with several other individuals to distribute methamphetamine in and around Pierre and surrounding areas. The four co-defendants received significant quantities of methamphetamine from two other co-defendants, Heather and Misty Stahlhoefer, and then further distributed it. During the course of the investigation law enforcement recovered over 550 grams of pure methamphetamine.

Heather Stahlhoefer is scheduled to be sentenced May 14, 2025, and Misty Stahlhoefer is scheduled to be sentenced July 14, 2025.

This case was investigated by the FBI North Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Pierre Police Department, the Chamberlain Police Department, and the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Dilges.

Marrowbone, Rinehart, Mealer, and Larvie were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.