Mitchell, SD Woman and North Jackson, OH Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a woman from Mitchell, South Dakota, and a woman from North Jackson, Ohio, both convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencings took place on April 7, 2025, and August 25, 2025.

Catherine Hamilton, 55, of Mitchell, South Dakota, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The sentencing took place on April 7, 2025.

Christine Hughes, 66, of North Jackson, Ohio, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The sentencing took place on August 25, 2025.

Hamilton and Hughes were indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in April 2024. Hamilton pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025; Hughes pleaded guilty on May 27, 2025.

Court documents show that Hamilton received several packages of methamphetamine through the United States Postal Service from Hughes in Ohio. Hamilton then distributed the methamphetamine to others in South Dakota.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Mitchell Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Joyce prosecuted the case.

Hamilton and Hughes were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.