McLaughlin Man Indicted on Drug and Firearm Charges

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Lawrence Leonard Malcolm, Sr., age 46, was indicted on August 13, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on August 27, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 30 years in federal prison and/or a $2,000,000 fine, 6 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about July 5, 2018, Malcolm knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with persons known and unknown to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.  Malcolm, who is an unlawful user of, and addicted to a controlled substance, knowingly received and possessed several firearms.

The charges are merely accusations and Malcolm is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s 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.

The investigation is being conducted by the Corson County Sheriff’s Office, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.   

Malcolm was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.  A trial date has not been set.