Kyle Woman Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Distribute Marijuana

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Stephanie Standing Soldier, age 37, of Kyle, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on April 30, 2013, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.  The Magistrate Judge is expected to recommend Standing Soldier’s plea be accepted by the District Court.  The penalty upon conviction is a minimum of 5 years up to 40 years’ imprisonment and/or a $5,000,000 fine.

The charge relates to Standing Soldier conspiring with others to distribute at least 100 kilograms or more of marijuana in South Dakota between 2008 and 2012.  The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ted L. McBride.

The defendant was released on bond pending acceptance of this plea and sentencing.