Indiana Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Valparaiso, Indiana, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana was sentenced on September 9, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Brendan Lee, age 25, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and a $1,000 fine.

Lee was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 5, 2019.  He pled guilty on June 17, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on February 21, 2019, where Lee, and co-defendant Sarah Worthman, were stopped by law enforcement for speeding on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation while driving a U-Haul truck.  The traffic stop uncovered approximately 150 pounds of marijuana hidden in couches in the cargo hold.  Lee had purchased the marijuana in California and was planning to distribute it in and around Chicago, Illinois.  

Worthman previously pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana and is awaiting sentencing on November 4, 2019.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

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