St. Francis Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Meth
| U.S. Attorney's Office May 10, 2011 |
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Dale Haukaas, age 30, of St. Francis, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on May 9, 2011, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; three years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment.
Haukaas served as a middleman for two individuals from Nebraska who were transporting methamphetamine to the Rosebud Reservation for resale. After the Nebraskans brought the methamphetamine to South Dakota, they would provide it to Haukaas, who would re-distribute the methamphetamine to his contacts in the St. Francis area. The drug quantity attributable to Haukaas based on his role in the conspiracy is between 50 and 200 grams of methamphetamine.
The investigation was conducted by Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay Miller.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for August 1, 2011. Haukaas was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.