May 30, 2014

Ten Individuals Indicted on Distribution Charges and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Marijuana

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that 10 individuals from Custer, Pine Ridge, and Rapid City, South Dakota have been indicted by a federal grand jury on May 20, 2014.

  • Gerald LeBeau, a/k/a Gers LeBeau, 53, of Rapid City, was indicted on possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a minimum of five years up to 40 years in custody and/or a $5,000,000 fine, four years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
  • Neil LeBeau, 33, of Porcupine, was indicted on conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a minimum of five years up to 40 years in custody and/or a $5,000,000 fine, four years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
  • Susan Schrader, 52, of Pine Ridge, was indicted on conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
  • Holly Wilson, 53, of Pine Ridge, was indicted on conspiracy to distribute cocaine and two counts of distribution of cocaine. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
  • Whitney Zephier, 26, of Pine Ridge, was indicted on conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
  • Marie Zephier, 28, of Pine Ridge, was indicted on conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribute. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
  • Thomas Patrick Brewer, a/k/a Pat Brewer, 48, of Pine Ridge, was indicted on conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
  • Twila LeBeau, 59, of Pine Ridge, was indicted on conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
  • Pablo LeBeau, 18, of Pine Ridge, was indicted on conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
  • Lona Lee Colhoff, 55, of Pine Ridge, was indicted on conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The charges relate to distribution of cocaine and marijuana, primarily on the Pine Ridge Reservation, beginning as early as 2005 and continuing to the present. Gerald LeBeau, Neil LeBeau, Susan Schrader, Holly Wilson, Whitney Zephier, Marie Zephier, Thomas Patrick Brewer, Twila LeBeau, Pablo LeBeau, and Lona Lee Colhoff conspired, with persons known and unknown, to distribute cocaine in the District of South Dakota. During the course of the conspiracy, Gerald LeBeau, Neil LeBeau, Whitney Zephier, Marie Zephier, Twila LeBeau, Pablo LeBeau, and Lona Lee Colhoff also conspired, with persons known and unknown, to distribute marijuana in the District of South Dakota.

All 10 defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on May 30, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictments. The charges are merely an accusation, and all of the above-mentioned defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ted L. McBride and Kathryn N. Rich are prosecuting the case.

Gerald LeBeau, Neil LeBeau, and Pablo LeBeau were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. Susan Schrader, Holly Wilson, Whitney Zephier, Marie Zephier, Thomas Patrick Brewer, Twila LeBeau, Pablo LeBeau, and Lona Lee Colhoff were released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.