Rapid City Woman Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Interstate Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on December 15, 2025.

Ruth Kazmer, 60, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  She was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in October of 2024. She pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025.

Beginning at least in July 2022, Kazmer organized a conspiracy to transport large amounts of methamphetamine from surrounding states into western South Dakota. Kazmer financed multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine and arranged for co-conspirators to transport the methamphetamine into South Dakota.  No stranger to the drug trade, Kazmer was on parole for a state conviction for distribution of methamphetamine at the time she organized this conspiracy. Kazmer was responsible for bringing at least 14.9 kilograms of methamphetamine into South Dakota, where it was destined for sale in communities throughout Rapid City and surrounding areas.  Law enforcement seized over six pounds of methamphetamine during the investigation.

“We are immensely grateful for our collaborative relationship with our state and local law enforcement partners whose incredible detective work led to this conviction and sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons.  “Getting meth and other drugs off the streets and dismantling the criminal organizations responsible for their distribution takes teamwork, time, dedication, and a relentless work ethic.  I have nothing but respect and admiration for the highly skilled men and women of law enforcement in Rapid City and communities across South Dakota who wake up every day and risk their lives protecting our children and fellow citizens from these ruinous substances.”

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, the Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward C. Tarbay prosecuted the case.

Kazmer was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.