Mission Woman Pleads Guilty to Meth Charges

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Arlene Siers, age 23, of Mission, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on June 20, 2011, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged her with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in custody, a $1 million fine, or both; three years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment.

From about January 1, 2009, through April 8, 2010, Arlene Siers knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated and agreed with others, known and unknown, to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The drug quantity attributable to Siers based on her role in the conspiracy is at least 50 grams but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine.

Siers was a middle woman for two individuals and assisted them in distributing methamphetamine on the Rosebud Reservation. The two individuals transported methamphetamine from Nebraska to South Dakota. They provided methamphetamine to Siers, who would redistribute the methamphetamine to her contacts in the Mission area. She would sell the methamphetamine and come back to the two individuals to receive more methamphetamine to sell. Siers sold a total of between 2 and 4½ ounces of methamphetamine, and half a pound (226.8 grams) of marihuana for the two individuals from Nebraska.

The investigation was conducted by Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay Miller.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for September 16, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.