A 34-year-old man from Pierre has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
Dustin Warnke pled not guilty.
Information from the US Attorney’s Office in South Dakota says beginning by March 2018 and continuing to about November 2019, Warnke did knowingly conspire with persons known and unknown to intentionally possess and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The information also states that in January 2019, Warnke, knowing he was addicted to a controlled substance, possessed a .40 caliber, Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol.
The penalty if convicted is a mandatory minimum 10 years, up to life in federal prison and/or a $10-million fine, at least 5 years, up to life of supervised release and restitution may be ordered.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Warnke was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.