Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Rosebud man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Marijuana and Prohibited Person in Possession of Firearm.
24 year old Blade Ryan Marshall pled not guilty.
The Indictment alleges that between January 2017 and March 2018, the Defendant conspired with others to distribute cocaine and marijuana on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. The Indictment further alleges that on January 16, 2018, the Defendant, who is a drug user, was in possession of several firearms.
The maximum penalty if convicted is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and payment of $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
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 being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Marshall was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
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