Lower Brule Man Sentenced on Drug and Firearm Charges

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on November 26, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Thomas James Eagle Thunder, age 21, was sentenced to 5 months in federal prison on each count to run concurrently, followed by 2 years of supervised release, a fine of $1,000, forfeiture of $5,358.01 in U.S. currency and 5 firearms, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Eagle Thunder was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2018.  He pled guilty on September 12, 2018.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on February 15, 2018, following a traffic stop for a missing headlight in low visibility and poor road conditions.  Once the officer made contact with the driver, Eagle Thunder, the officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana.  Following a search of the vehicle, two plastic baggies containing marijuana were found as well as two bundles of U.S. currency.  A further search of Eagle Thunder’s residence revealed several firearms.  Eagle Thunder knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, which is a Schedule I controlled substance.  Further, Eagle Thunder is an unlawful user of, and addicted to a controlled substance, making 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.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its 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 Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

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