United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Dupree, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on May 14, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Waylon Young Bird, age 50, was sentenced to 136 months in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release, a fine in the amount of $1,000, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Young Bird was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2018.  He was found guilty by a Jury on April 4, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from incidents that occurred from January 1, 2016 until May 15, 2018, when Young Bird knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, which is a Schedule II controlled substance, on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.  The Jury also convicted Young Bird of knowingly and intentionally possessing with the intent to distribute a detectable amount of methamphetamine from a March 9, 2018, traffic stop. During this stop, Young Bird was found to have just under 10 grams of methamphetamine hidden in his sock in eight little baggies. 

The investigation was conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Young Bird was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Waylon Young Bird, 49, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, was found guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance as a result of a two-day federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota. 

The conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison and an $11,000,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to life of supervised release once released from prison, and $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  

 Young Bird was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2018. 

The jury found that from January 1, 2016 until May 15, 2018, Young Bird had knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, which is a Schedule II controlled substance on, the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.  The Jury also convicted Young Bird of knowingly and intentionally possessing with the intent to distribute a detectable amount of methamphetamine from a March 9, 2018, traffic stop. During this stop, Young Bird was found to have just under 10 grams of methamphetamine hidden in his sock in eight little baggies.  Also found during the stop were 74 unused baggies, a straw fashioned into a scoop and a spoon.

The investigation was conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for May 16, 2019.  The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Dupree, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Waylon Young Bird, age 49, was indicted on May 15, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 17, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody and/or a $11,000,000 fine, 8 years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that beginning on or about January 1, 2016, Young Bird knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, which is a Schedule II controlled substance.  The Indictment also alleged that on or about March 9, 2018, Young Bird knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

The charges are merely accusations and Young Bird is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.   

Young Bird was released on bond pending trial which has not been set.