DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of South Dakota

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 30, 2021
Dennis R. Holmes
, United States Attorney

North Carolina Man Sentenced to 12 ½ Years for Meth Trafficking Conspiracy

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that an Archdale, North Carolina, man who pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on July 28, 2021, by U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Erick Anaya, age 31, was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Erick Anaya was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury on October 22, 2020. He pleaded guilty on April 28, 2021.

During his involvement in the conspiracy, the Defendant transported approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine to South Dakota from California. The defendant then dispersed methamphetamine to others for further distribution. The Defendant also collected money from people in South Dakota and transported that money back to the suppliers.

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Agency, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota National Guard, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Anaya was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

St. Paul Field Division