St. Francis Man Indicted on Methamphetamine and Firearm Charges

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Steven William Emery, age 47, was indicted on September 11, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 15, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $10,000,000 fine, up to lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Count.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between June 2016, and May 9, 2018 Emery  knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in South Dakota. The Indictment further alleges, that on May 9, 2018, Emery being an unlawful user of, and addicted to, a controlled substance, did knowingly receive and possess a firearm, which had been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce.

The charges are merely accusations and Emery is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity.  Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers.  It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore is prosecuting the case.   

Emery was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.