St. Francis Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Resisting and Impeding Federal Officers and for Possessing Methamphetamine Bound for Distribution

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a man from St. Francis, South Dakota, convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding Federal Officers and of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on September 9, 2025.

Derek McCloskey, age 30, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, $24,965.83 in restitution, and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

McCloskey was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2024. He pleaded guilty on June 2, 2025.

The convictions stemmed from a vehicle pursuit on May 16, 2024, involving personnel from the United States Marshals Service, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bennett County Sheriff’s Office. During the nearly two-hour pursuit through several counties, McCloskey hit multiple law enforcement vehicles, causing significant damage to the vehicles. McCloskey and his passenger threw significant quantities of methamphetamine and a rifle from the vehicle during the pursuit. Officers ultimately recovered a rifle and approximately 25 grams of pure methamphetamine. Data from McCloskey’s phone indicated he was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine within the Rosebud Indian Reservation.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Bennett County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk Albertson and Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

McCloskey was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.