Mexican National Man Sentenced to 22 ½ Years in Federal Prison for His Role in a Large-Scale Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Mexican National man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Reynaldo Garcia-Gonzalez, age 42, was sentenced to 22 years and five months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Garcia-Gonzalez was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2023 and pleaded guilty on December 9, 2024.

Between April and November 2022, Garcia-Gonzalez was part of a drug conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in South Dakota. Garcia-Gonzalez transported large quantities of methamphetamine from California to co-conspirators in Western South Dakota who then distributed the methamphetamine to others. During his involvement in the conspiracy, Garcia-Gonzalez was personally involved in the handling and distribution of multiple pounds of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.  UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Garcia-Gonzalez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing.