SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A Sioux Falls man and his mother from Luverne, Minn., have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in trafficking thousands of fentanyl pills and laundering the drug proceeds.
Sean Swiftbird, 27, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. His mother, Laurie Swiftbird, 67, was sentenced to two years.
Federal prosecutors say Sean Swiftbird worked with others in 2023 to distribute thousands of fentanyl pills in Sioux Falls. Laurie later joined the conspiracy, accepting drug shipments at her home and selling pills to customers. Both used the electronic payment system Cash App to collect payments and send the money to their supplier.
A federal grand jury indicted the pair in December 2023 on charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Sean Swiftbird pleaded guilty in February, and Laurie Swiftbird pleaded guilty in September.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigations, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force.
