FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, February 28, 2019

CONTACT: Tim Bormann (605) 773-3215

PIERRE, S.D. –  Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg announced today that Jason Paul Day was sentenced to 10 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary at the Brookings County Courthouse in Brookings, South Dakota. 

On December 11, 2018, Day entered a guilty plea to Conspiracy to Distribute One Pound or More of Marijuana stemming from a series of transactions where Day was providing marijuana from his location on the west coast to individuals in Brookings for the purpose of distribution.  Day admitted these incidents took place over a time period spanning 18 months. 

Conspiracy to Distribute One Pound or More of Marijuana is a Class 3 Felony that is sentenced as a Class 4 Felony under SDCL 22-3-8.  It carries a penalty of up to ten years imprisonment in the South Dakota State Penitentiary.  In addition, a fine of twenty thousand dollars may be imposed. 

Day received a sentence of 10 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary, with six of those years suspended on the condition that he be under the supervision of the South Dakota Board of Pardons & Parole and obey all local, state, and federal laws.  Day also will pay a fine, including court costs, of $1,000, re-pay prosecution costs to Brookings County, and his court-appointed attorney’s fees shall be reduced to a civil lien.

Day was remanded into the immediate custody of the Brookings County Sheriff to be transported to the South Dakota State Penitentiary. 

“Bringing drugs into South Dakota will not be tolerated,” said Ravnsborg. “This case is a reminder to anyone who wants to supply or sell drugs in our state, that we will catch you and we will convict you.” 

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.