Two South Dakota Men Charged with Drugs and Stolen Firearm Offenses

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man and a Black Hawk, South Dakota, man have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

Antonio Siers, age 21, and Zachary Alto, age 24, were indicted on May 15, 2018.  Siers appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 17, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.  Alto appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 16, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty each faces upon conviction is up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $1,500,000 fine, up to 9 years of supervised release, and up $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on July 12, 2017, Siers and Alto knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute a detectable amount of methamphetamine. 

The Indictment also alleges that on February 1, 2017, and July 12, 2017, Siers, being an unlawful user of, and addicted to a controlled substance, knowingly received and possessed two firearms.

Finally, the Indictment alleges that on July 12, 2017, Alto, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and being an unlawful user of, and addicted to a controlled substance, knowingly received and possessed a stolen firearm, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.

Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.

The charges are merely accusations and Siers and Alto are 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 Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.   

Siers and Alto were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for September 5, 2018.