Washington Man Pleads Not Guilty To Drug Charges

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Elma, Washington, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Bruce Gerald Cole, age 47, was indicted on August 22, 2012.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 16, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

On or about between May 1, 2009, and June 5, 2009, in the District of South Dakota and elsewhere, Cole did conspire with others to distribute and possess marijuana.

The charge is merely an accusation and Cole is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher is prosecuting the case.   

Cole was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.