United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Frank Cotto, a resident of Rapid City, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier delivered the sentence following Cotto's conviction for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Cotto, aged 38, will also face four years of supervised release after serving his prison term and must pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. His indictment by a federal grand jury occurred in February 2024, and he pleaded guilty on December 11, 2024.
The charges stem from an incident on November 30, 2023, when Cotto was stopped by law enforcement after returning from Colorado with drugs. The search revealed over 2,000 fentanyl pills and six pounds of methamphetamine intended for distribution in Rapid City. A handgun was also found in the vehicle door. Due to his use of methamphetamine and marijuana, Cotto is classified as a prohibited person.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department's strategy for PSN emphasizes trust-building within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
The investigation involved the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Edward Tarbay handled the prosecution.
Following sentencing, Cotto was placed into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.