RAPID CITY, S.D. — Sixteen people have been arrested following a major federal drug operation targeting alleged traffickers in Rapid City and on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Dubbed Operation Snowy Ridge, the two-day effort was led by the FBI in coordination with tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. The goal: to clear outstanding federal drug warrants and crack down on networks fueling addiction and violence in Native communities.
“This was a bold, coordinated effort to improve public safety by removing individuals who drive violence and drug addiction in Indian Country,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell.
The operation launched early Tuesday, April 15, and continued into Wednesday morning, resulting in arrests tied to a range of federal drug conspiracy charges.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. said the takedown disrupted dangerous trafficking networks. “Our partnerships remain the cornerstone of efforts to hold violent offenders accountable,” he said.
Among those arrested were residents of Pine Ridge, Wounded Knee, Wanblee, Batesland and Rapid City. The list includes:
- Echo Winters, 35
- Esther Winters, 43
- Garren Wilson Sr., 42
- Gabriel Gibbons, 52
- Michaela Peoples, 44
- Reed Brown, 68
- Jackie Black Bear, 60
- Skyler Red Cloud, 31
- Theodore Coomes Jr. (a.k.a. TC), 38
- Abe Marshall, 39
- Laquetta Rouillard, 34
- Anja Little Hawk, 35
- Lisa Mills, 33
- Demitre Ecoffey, 30
- Tucker Fischbach, 29
- Sesalie Red Owl, 41
Each is facing federal charges related to drug trafficking.
Oglala Sioux Tribe Police Chief Danielle Means praised the operation as a “direct response to the threats impacting our community,” thanking the multiple agencies involved for their collaboration.
Authorities say cocaine and methamphetamine were seized during the operation.
“For DEA, the goal is simple—keep communities safe from the devastating impact of these drugs,” said Rafael Mattei, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Omaha Division.
Operation Snowy Ridge was coordinated by the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Task Force, which includes members from the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and Martin Police Department. Support also came from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
