Sioux Falls Man Found Guilty in Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that Jaime Aroldo Duarte-Lopez, a/k/a Jimmy Duarte, age 23, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was found guilty of six drug charges as a result of a federal jury trial in Sioux Falls.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in custody and/or a $1 million fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Duarte-Lopez was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 15, 2015, on the charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and five counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine. 

From approximately November 2014 to August 2015, Duarte-Lopez and others distributed methamphetamine in the Sioux Falls area.  Law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from Duarte-Lopez on five occasions.  Duarte-Lopez was responsible for distributing over 175 grams of methamphetamine throughout the course of the conspiracy.  Duarte-Lopez indicated to the confidential informant on multiple occasions that he had the ability to obtain pounds of methamphetamine to sell. 

This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for April 11, 2016. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.