FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :      Thursday, March 26, 2015
CONTACT: Sara Rabern,  (605) 773-3215 

  
Rapid City Man Sentenced in Witness Tampering Case

PIERRE, S.D.  – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Derek Chad Vice, 43, Rapid City, was sentenced yesterday to 10 years for conspiracy to commit tampering with a witness. Vice also admitted to a Part II Information for Habitual Offender exposing him to an elevated sentence from 5 years to 10 years.

“Tampering with witnesses is a matter taken seriously within our criminal justice system. Intimidating, coercing or bribing witnesses cannot be tolerated.  The criminal justice system depends upon the voluntary assistance and truthful testimony of witnesses to ensure the guilty are held accountable and innocent exonerated,” said Jackley.

Vice was convicted and sentenced to 25 years for distribution and possession of methamphetamine in August of 2012. Vice admitted to tampering with the confidential informant prior to trial. The sentence he received yesterday will run consecutive to his initial 25 year sentence.

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