Women from Slayton, Minnesota, and Aberdeen, South Dakota, Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a woman from Slayton, Minnesota, and a woman from Aberdeen, South Dakota, both convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. 

Alexis Mertens, 28, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. The sentencing took place on September 22, 2025.

Brandy Christman, 39, was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. The sentencing took place on September 29, 2025.

Mertens and Christman were indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in November 2024. Mertens pleaded guilty on June 24, 2025. Christman pleaded guilty on June 11, 2025.

Christman and Mertens were involved in selling methamphetamine to others within South Dakota between 2023 and December 2024. Christman was arrested after law enforcement found her in possession of 172 grams of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the DEA. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Joyce prosecuted the case.

Mertens and Christman were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.