FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : Thursday, March 14, 2013
CONTACT: Sara Rabern (605)773-3215
Wagner Woman Sentenced on Drug Charges and Failure to Report Death of a Child
PIERRE, S.D - Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Laurie Cournoyer, 29, Wagner, was sentenced to ten years for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, five years for keeping a place for use or sale of controlled substances, and five years for failure to report death of a child. All sentences are to run consecutive.
Charges stem from an incident that occurred on July 4, 2012, involving the death of a 2 year-old child found dead in a closet. This marks the first conviction under South Dakota's version of Caylee's law, which became law July 1, 2012.
Cournoyer sentenced to ten years with five years suspended for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, stemmed from the possession of methamphetamine while incarcerated at the Charles Mix County Jail.
This case was investigated by the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office with assistance by the Charles Mix County States Attorney.
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