Attorney General Headshot

Attorney General Marty Jackley

Attorney General Seal

UNET Team announces Arrest, Meth Seizure In Oglala Lakota County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878 

PIERRE, S.D.  – The Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team (UNET) announces the arrest of James William Reese, 61, of Hot Springs in connection to an ongoing investigation into illegal drug trafficking in Wyoming and Western South Dakota. The arrests resulted in the seizure of approximately 212.5 grams of methamphetamine.

Charges and outstanding warrants filed against Reese are:

Charges in Custer County:

  • Felony Distribution/Manufacturing of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Methamphetamine)
  • Felony Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (Methamphetamine)
  • Misdemeanor Eluding
  • Misdemeanor Possession or Use of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Misdemeanor No Seatbelt

Outstanding Warrants:

Pennington County:

  • Felony Distribution/Manufacturing of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Methamphetamine)
  • Felony Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (Methamphetamine)
  • Felony Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (Cocaine)
  • Felony Keeping a place for use or sale of Controlled Drugs or Substance
  • Misdemeanor Petty Theft by obtaining property or service without paying

Fall River County

  • Felony Distribution/Manufacturing of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Methamphetamine)
  • Felony Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (Methamphetamine)
  • Felony Keeping a place for use or sale of Controlled Drugs /Substance
  • Commission of a Felony while armed with a firearm

The arrest stems from an investigation led by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, which determined that methamphetamine was being transported into Rapid City from Colorado. Reese is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

UNET is a task force led by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and includes personnel from DCI, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. UNET partners closely with federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Indian Affairs-Division of Drug Enforcement, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Army National Guard, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This case highlights the importance of strong interagency collaboration. Participating agencies include the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Indian Affairs-Division of Drug Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the members of the UNET.         

                                                                              -30-