FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :     Tuesday, May 15, 2012
CONTACT:    Sara Rabern,  (605) 773-3215

Two Deuel County Men Arrested in Synthetic Drug Case

PIERRE, S.D.  –Attorney General Marty Jackley and Deuel County States Attorney Greg Stoltenburg announced today that Phillip L. Plunkett, 50, Goodwin, and Jason D. Toben, 39, Goodwin, have been arrested in their roles in the possession and distribution of synthetic drugs including K2 and bath salts. The charges are as follows:

Phillip L. Plunkett:

4 counts of unauthorized possession of a controlled substance, class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine
1 count of unauthorized distribution or possession of a controlled substance, class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine
1 count of unauthorized distribution or possession of controlled substances in a drug free zone, class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/ or a $20,000 fine
1 count of maintaining a place for use of sale of controlled substance, class 5 felony punishable by 5 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine 
1 count of possession of a controlled weapon, class 6 felony punishable by 2 years imprisonment and/or a $4,000 fine
2 counts of possession, sale or distribution of substances for purpose of intoxication, class one misdemeanor

Jason D. Toben:

2 counts of unauthorized possession of a controlled substance, class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine
1 count of unauthorized distribution of a controlled substance, class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine 
1 count of unauthorized distribution or possession of controlled substances in a drug free zone, class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/ or a $20,000 fine
2 counts of possession, sale or distribution of substances for purpose of intoxication, class one misdemeanor

Plunkett and Toben are presumed innocent until such time as proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the Codington County Sheriff’s Office, Deuel County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Revenue, Watertown Police Department and the Division of Criminal Investigation.

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