Sioux Falls Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Offense

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Darrel Ray Hollingsworth, age 46, of Sioux Falls appeared before U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier on January 14, 2013, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged him with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine. The offense carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, and/or a $5 million fine.

Between August 2011 and January 2012, Hollingsworth and a co-conspirator traveled to Arizona on at least three occasions to obtain methamphetamine to sell in South Dakota. Hollingsworth provided funds to finance the trips and to purchase the drugs. Others distributed the methamphetamine, collected payments, and returned the payments to Hollingsworth.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney John E. Haak.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for April 8, 2013. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal pending sentencing.