United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the sentencing of Jeffrey Cooley, a Rapid City resident, for his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced Cooley to two and a half years in federal prison. Following his prison term, Cooley will undergo five years of supervised release and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Cooley, aged 36, was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024 and entered a guilty plea on September 20, 2024. He was involved in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine within South Dakota. His role included obtaining cocaine from a co-conspirator and distributing it locally. The operation involved multiple shipments of cocaine sent to Cooley's residence. In April 2023, law enforcement intercepted one such package containing approximately half a pound of cocaine, contributing to the discovery that several kilograms had been distributed during Cooley's participation.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team from Rapid City, and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges led the prosecution.
Following his sentencing, Cooley was placed into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.