Pine Ridge Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Meth

United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on January 3, 2022, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Michael LeBeau Sr., age 36, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  LeBeau was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine by a federal grand jury on February 19, 2020.  He pleaded guilty on June 17, 2020.  His sentencing was delayed because LeBeau absconded from a furlough between June 23, 2020, and August 2021.

During the course of the conspiracy, LeBeau obtained approximately a pound of methamphetamine from multiple sources.  From approximately December 2017 through March 2020, LeBeau distributed the methamphetamine to others.  During a search of his residence, law enforcement located a handgun, methamphetamine, and distribution paraphernalia.  On another occasion, LeBeau fled from law enforcement and was located after a short foot pursuit.

This case was investigated by the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

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