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Attorney General Marty Jackley

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Yankton Drug Investigation Results in Several Arrests

Yankton Drug Investigation Results in Several Arrests

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Larry Long, Duane Heeney, Yankton Chief of Police and David Hunhoff, Yankton County Sheriff announced today that 21 individuals from Yankton and surrounding communities were indicted by a Yankton County grand jury and arrested for various drug related offenses including possession and distribution of methamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, heroin and psilocybin mushrooms. 

The indictments handed down by the grand jury were: 

  • Valentino M. Laponte, 38, Aberdeen, possession and distribution of cocaine and marijuana. 
  • Kristen K. Jensen, 25, Yankton, delivery of a non-controlled substance represented to be a controlled substance. 
  • Nathaniel A. Steele, 22, Sioux Falls, possession and distribution of marijuana. 
  • Nathaniel Crawford, 34, Sioux Falls, possession and distribution of marijuana and methamphetamine.  
  • Ricky Oliver, 46, Yankton, possession and distribution of cocaine and heroin. 
  • Brian M. Bowens, 35, Yankton, possession and distribution of amphetamine, methamphetamine and marijuana. 
  • Rosa M. Claudio, 35, Yankton, possession and distribution of amphetamine and methamphetamine. 
  • Josh A. Solomon, 24, Yankton, possession and distribution of marijuana. 
  • Monty M. Poncelet, 21, Yankton, possession and distribution of methamphetamine. 
  • Ryan R. Bloch, 20, Yankton, possession and distribution of marijuana. 
  • Lucy M. Mendoza, 36, Yankton, possession and distribution of methamphetamine and amphetamine. 
  • Jesus Mendoza, 32, Yankton, possession and distribution of methamphetamine and amphetamine. 
  • Jesus Navaaro-Bravo, 29, Yankton, possession and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine. 
  • Jaime Navarro, aka Alfredo Flores, 28, Yankton, possession and distribution of methamphetamine. 
  • Savanah K. Flynn, 18, Yankton, possession and distribution of marijuana. 
  • Shane M. Bullbear, 19, Yankton, possession and distribution of amphetamine and marijuana. 
  • Michelle Blakey, 36, Yankton, possession and distribution of marijuana. 
  • Curt W. Adams, 46, Yankton, possession and distribution of marijuana. 
  • Davin K. Holland, 19, Tabor, possession and distribution of amphetamine and marijuana. 
  • Robby W. Harris, 24, Yankton, possession and distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. 
  • David M. Cassanova, 24, Yankton, possession and distribution of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine.

During the investigation agents seized approximately 550 grams of methamphetamine, 200 grams of cocaine, 12.25 ounces of marijuana, .89 grams of heroin and 2.1 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. Street value was estimated at over $82,000. The investigation was a joint effort of the Division of Criminal Investigation, Yankton Police Department and the Yankton County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation will continue and more arrests are expected. These cases are currently being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Drug Prosecution Unit.

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