Sioux Falls Man Charged with Heroin Trafficking Resulting in Death

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Aaron Anthony Wodzinski, age 23, was indicted on March 9, 2020.  He appeared before the Honorable Veronica L. Duffy on March 12, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $1 million fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

Beginning on an unknown date and continuing until on or about May 2019, in the District of South Dakota and elsewhere, Wodzinski did knowingly and intentionally combine, conspire, confederate, and agree together, with others known and unknown, to knowingly and intentionally distribute heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.

On or about April 23, 2018, Wodzinski did knowingly and intentionally distribute heroin, and the distribution of said heroin resulted in the death of Victim #1.  Then, on or about May 6, 2019, in the District of South Dakota, Wodzinski did knowingly and intentionally distribute heroin, and the distribution of said heroin resulted in the serious bodily injury of Victim #2.

The charge is merely an accusation and Wodzinski is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga is prosecuting the case.   

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