Yankton Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Yankton, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Lorraine Marie Prairie Chicken, age 34, was indicted on May 8, 2019. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 10, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $10,000,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that beginning on an unknown date and continuing until on or about October 17, 2018, Prairie Chicken knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others, to distribute a mixture and substance containing at least 500 grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The charge is merely an accusation and Prairie Chicken is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga is prosecuting the case.

Prairie Chicken was released on bond pending trial, which has not been set.