Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Charge

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Casey Dean Hoefert, age 33, of Sioux Falls, appeared before U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier on January 15, 2013, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged him with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison, and/or a $10 million fine.

Between May 2010 and January 2012, Hoefert acted as a middle man between two co-conspirators, accepting delivery of methamphetamine from one and delivering it to another, who gave Hoefert payment for the drugs. Hoefert then gave the money to the co-conspirator who originally provided the drugs.

The investigation was conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney John E. Haak.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for April 8, 2013. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal pending sentencing.