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Press Release

Two Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Firearm

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.  One of the men was also indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Indicted on August 16, 2016, were: Monte Dinehdeal, a/k/a Monte Dineh Deal, age 41, from Tuba City, Arizona, and Louis Anthony Good Shield, age 27, from Winner, South Dakota.  Good Shield appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 24, 2016.  Dinehdeal appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on September 27, 2016.  Both have pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for the charges against Dinehdeal is up to life in custody, a $10,000,000 fine, or both, at least 5 years and up to life of supervised release, $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution.  The maximum penalty upon conviction for the charges against Good Shield is 20 years in custody, a $1,000,000 fine, or both, at least 3 years and up to life of supervised release; and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution.

Dinehdeal stands to forfeit the weapon and ammunition seized during the investigation. 

The charges are merely an accusation and Dinehdeal and Good Shield are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The indictment alleges that between January 1, 2013, and September 17, 2015, Dinehdeal and Good Shield knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated and agreed with other persons to knowingly and intentionally distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in South Dakota.  The indictment specifically alleges that Dinehdeal knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in South Dakota.  The indictment further alleges that on or about September 17, 2015, Dinehdeal knowingly possessed a firearm, even though he was prohibited from doing so because he had previously been convicted of a felony and was an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance.

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan is prosecuting the case.   

Dinehdeal was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  Good Shield was released on bond pending trial.  A jury trial has been set for November 1, 2016.

Updated September 29, 2016

Topic
Drug Trafficking