Pine Ridge Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Distribution
U.S. Attorney’s Office June 16, 2009 |
United States Attorney Marty J. Jackley announced that Brandon Ecoffey, age 25, of Pine Ridge, appeared before US District Judge Karen E. Schreier on June 15, 2009, and pled guilty to a superseding indictment that charged him with conspiracy to distribute five kilos of cocaine. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of ten years' to life imprisonment and/or a $4,000,000 fine. Ecoffey pled guilty to conspiring with others to distribute cocaine on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, ATF, and BIA. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Mara M. Kohn. A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has been set for August 31, 2009. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal pending sentencing.