Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Sturgis Man Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sturgis, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
Dustin Island, age 40, was charged on October 22, 2019. Island appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on November 8, 2019, and plead not guilty to the charges.
The penalty upon conviction is a minimum of 5 years up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, at least 4 years up to life supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges relate to Island possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and unlawfully possessing a semi-automatic pistol in June 2019 in Meade County. The charges are merely an accusation and Island is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.
Island was detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
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