A Rapid City man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for his involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Charles Merrival, 32, received the sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier on November 22, 2024. In addition to the prison term, Merrival will undergo five years of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The court also ordered the forfeiture of a firearm and ammunition.
Merrival was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2022 and pleaded guilty on July 8, 2024. His criminal activities spanned from July 2021 through January 2022 in Rapid City. During this period, law enforcement discovered Merrival with methamphetamine and drug-related items following a vehicle stop in July 2021. Further investigation revealed that he handed over a backpack containing methamphetamine and firearms to an accomplice.
Authorities found that Merrival had a history of violence and firearm possession despite being prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions. He is known as a former member and Sergeant-at-Arms of the Ghost Dance Motorcycle Club.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021.
The Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), along with other federal agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, investigated the case. UNET includes members from various South Dakota law enforcement bodies such as Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and Rapid City Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Troy Morley, Brian Murphy, and Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case against Merrival who was remanded into custody immediately after sentencing. He faces additional charges unrelated to this case in Pennington County.