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Attorney General Marty Jackley

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Mitchell Drug Investigation Results in Several Arrests

MITCHELL DRUG INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN SEVERAL ARRESTS

(Mitchell)- Attorney General Larry Long and Doug Feltman, Mitchell Chief of Police announced today that several individuals from Mitchell and surrounding communities were indicted by a Davison grand jury last week and arrested this week for their roles in the possession and distribution of marijuana and controlled substances.

The indictments handed down by the grand jury were: 

  • Lindath Kendall Stone, 28, Mitchell, 1 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana in a drug free zone, 2 felony counts of possession of methamphetamine, 2 felony counts of distribution of methamphetamine, 1 felony count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 felony count of distribution of methamphetamine in a drug free zone.
  • Jeffery Charles Duncan, 36, Mitchell, 1 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana in a drug free zone, 1 felony count of possession of methamphetamine, 1 felony count of distribution of methamphetamine.
  • Willie Demarco Farris, 24, Mitchell, 1 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana in drug free zone.
  • Avery Peter Long, III, 44, Mitchell, 4 misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana, 4 felony counts of distribution of marijuana..
  • Michael Bert Best, 42, Mitchell, 3 misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana, 1 felony count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, 2 misdemeanor counts of distribution of marijuana without consideration.
  • Tracy Ann Tronnes, 26, Mitchell, 2 misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana, 2 felony counts of distribution of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana in a drug free zone, 4 felony counts of delivery of non-controlled substance representing to be hashish, 4 felony counts of delivery of non-controlled substance representing to be hash oil.
  • Daniel Joe Diede, 23, Mitchell, 1 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana in drug free zone, 3 felony counts of possession of methamphetamine, 3 felony count of distribution of methamphetamine, 2 felony counts of distribution of methamphetamine in a drug free zone.
  • Jason Charles Meyer, 20, Mitchell, 1 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana, 2 felony counts of possession of methamphetamine, 2 felony counts of distribution of methamphetamine, 1 felony count of distribution of methamphetamine in a drug free zone, 1 felony count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Courtney Ann Knodel, 24, Mitchell, 1 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution in a drug free zone, 1 felony count of possession of cocaine, 1 felony count of distribution of cocaine, 1 felony count of distribution of cocaine in a drug free zone, 1 felony count of keeping a place for use or sale of controlled substances.
  • Travis Cory Richard, 23, Mitchell, 6 misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana, 6 felony counts of distribution of marijuana, 3 felony counts of distribution of marijuana in a drug free zone, 3 felony counts of possession of methamphetamine, 3 felony counts of distribution of methamphetamine, 1 felony count of distribution of methamphetamine in a drug free zone, 1 felony count of attempted distribution of methamphetamine, 1 felony count of possession of cocaine, 1 felony count of distribution of cocaine, 1 felony count of distribution of cocaine in drug free zone.
  • Kevin Carl Johnson, 25, Mitchell, 5 misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana, 5 felony counts of distribution of marijuana, 2 felony counts of distribution of marijuana in a drug free zone, 1 felony count of attempted distribution of methamphetamine.
  • Ashley Nicole Dorzok, 20, Mitchell, 1 felony count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Carrie Lynn Knodel, 21, Sioux Falls, 2 misdemeanor counts of misprision of a felony, 1 felony count of keeping a place for use of sale of controlled substances.
  • Jaryd Lee Brenden, 19, Mitchell, 1 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana in a drug free zone.
  • Lisa Marie Swan, 34, Sioux Falls, 1 felony count of possession of methamphetamine, 1 felony count of distribution of methamphetamine, 1 felony count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Kyle Blake Richards, 21, Mitchell, 1 felony count of possession of marijuana, 1 felony count of distribution of marijuana.
  • Evan Ray Robinson, 19, White Lake, 1 felony count of possession of methamphetamine, 1 felony count of distribution of methamphetamine.
  • Camri Elaine Highland, 28, Mitchell, 1 felony count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 2 felony counts of attempted distribution of methamphetamine.

ADDITIONAL ARRESTS AS A RESULT OF TODAY’S OPERATIONS: 

  • Christopher Allen Syme, 19, Mitchell, 3 felony counts of distribution of controlled substance.
  • Steven Martin Horn, 43, Mitchell, 1 misdemeanor count for ingesting.
  • Curtis Marvin Stange, 31, Mitchell, 1 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, 1 misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Denise Lynn Moore, 34, Mitchell, 1 felony count of possession of controlled substance.
  • Three juveniles

Early morning on February 24, six search warrants were executed on five local residences and one business. Nine vehicles were seized during the arrests as they were used in drug trafficking. 

“I am greatly pleased with the organized effort of the James Valley Task Force and other contributing agencies,” said Feltman. “The operation included a large number of distribution charges and this is a good start in putting the drug dealers out of business.” 

The investigation was a joint effort of the James Valley Task Force. Agencies included in the task force are: the Mitchell Police Department, Davison County Sheriff’s Office, Hanson County Sheriff’s Office, Sanborn County Sheriff’s Office and Division of Criminal Investigation. Other agencies that have contributed to the operation are the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and North Dakota South Dakota Army National Guard Counter Drug Unit. The investigation will continue and more arrests are expected. 

These cases are currently being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office and the Davison County States Attorney’s Office. Arraignments for the defendants will be held Friday, February 27, 2004 at the Public Safety Building in Mitchell at 9:30 a.m. 

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