Last Three People Sentenced in Drug Conspiracy Ring

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that men from Kyle, Potato Creek, and Porcupine, South Dakota, who were all previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, were sentenced this past week by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Edward Vocu, age 57, was sentenced to 120 months in custody, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Moses Montileaux, Sr., age 62, was sentenced to 60 months in custody, four years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, for conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Zeno Little, age 57, was sentenced to three years’ probation and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

The defendants were indicted for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2012. Little was found guilty by a federal jury on August 30, 2013. Montileaux, Sr. pled guilty on August 14, 2013, and Vocu pled guilty on August 16, 2013.

A drug conspiracy investigation began on or about October 2008 that resulted in federal charges against the following 18 individuals: Abraham Romero; Richard Marshall; Lorenzo Camacho Tarango, a/k/a Lencho, a/k/a Lecho; Reyes Chavez-Rojo; Billi American Horse; Jimmy Bravo; Elwanda Fire Thunder; Kimberly Janis; Zeno Little; Norton Little Spotted Horse; Moses Montileaux, Jr.; Moses Montileaux, Sr.; Whisper Montileaux; Stephanie Standing Soldier; Edward Vocu; Theresa Vocu; Cassie Winters; and Wesley Yellow Horse, Sr.

During the course of the conspiracy, Romero would receive marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine from Chavez-Rojo, Lencho, and other persons and then the remaining above-named individuals and other persons conspired to distribute and/or distributed either marijuana, cocaine, or methamphetamine on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

This case was investigated by Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted L. McBride and Special Assistant Laura A. Shattuck prosecuted the case.

Vocu and Montileaux, Sr. were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.