Pine Ridge Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
October 27, 2006
Rapid City, South Dakota
United States Attorney Marty J. Jackley announced today that on October 23, 2006, Jean Merrival pleaded guilty in federal court to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. Merrival of Pine Ridge appeared before U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier and pleaded guilty to the original indictment which was returned following an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years to life imprisonment and/or a $4,000,000 fine, or both. Jackley said the charges relate to incidents of illegal drug trafficking on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation between 2004 and 2005. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mara M. Kohn. A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has been set for January 22, 2007. |