Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Colorado Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that an Aurora, Colorado, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on August 1, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.
Ricardo Barragan, age 31, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Barragan was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in January of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 4, 2022. While involved in the conspiracy, Barragan distributed methamphetamine to others in the Rapid City, South Dakota, area for use and distribution.
This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota National Guard, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.
Barragan was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.