Pine Ridge Man Pleads Guilty to Organizing Cocaine Conspiracy

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Kevin Walking Eagle, age 36, of Pine Ridge, appeared before Chief US District Judge Karen E. Schreier on November 18, 2009, and pled guilty to Count III of an Indictment that charged him with Continuing Criminal Enterprise. The penalty upon conviction is a minimum of 20 years up to life imprisonment and/or a $2,000,000 fine. Walking Eagle was charged for a series of drug offenses spanning 10 years and involving over 15 kilograms of cocaine. He acted as the leader of an organization that brought cocaine from Denver to Pine Ridge, importing more than a pound at a time. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, ATF, OST, and BIA. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Mark A. Vargo. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for March 1, 2010. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal pending sentencing.