South Dakota Couple and California Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, husband and wife, and a Eureka, California, man, who is a brother to the South Dakota woman, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.  

Vinessa Farmer, a/k/a Vinessa Kills in Water, age 42, was sentenced on September 5, 2018, to 5 months in federal prison, and 5 months home detention, 2 years of supervised release, a fine of $1,000, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Robert Kills in Water, age 41, was sentenced on September 24, 2018, to 2 years of probation, a fine of $500, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Melvin Farmer, Jr., age 44, was sentenced on October 15, 2018, to 6 months in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, a fine of $1,000, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

All three defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on February 14, 2018.  Vinessa pled guilty on June 12, 2018, Robert pled guilty on July 10, 2018, and Melvin pled guilty on October 15, 2018.

Beginning August 1, 2012, to August 22, 2017, Vinessa, Robert, and Melvin knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute marijuana in the District of South Dakota. Melvin would mail one-pound packages of marijuana monthly to Vinessa and Robert in South Dakota. Vinessa and Robert would then sell the marijuana and send money back to Melvin.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the U.S. Postal Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Vinessa Farmer and Melvin Farmer, Jr. were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, and Robert Kills in Water was released to begin serving probation.