RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Mexican national has been sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in South Dakota. Reynaldo Garcia-Gonzalez, age 42, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Between April and November 2022, Garcia-Gonzalez transported large quantities of methamphetamine from California to co-conspirators in Western South Dakota who then distributed the methamphetamine to others. During his involvement in the conspiracy, Garcia-Gonzalez was personally involved in the handling and distribution of multiple pounds of methamphetamine.
The Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) and the South Dakota Highway Patrol led the investigation. UNET is a multi-agency task force that includes the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard.
Garcia-Gonzalez was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.