A Denver woman has been sentenced to nearly 23 years in federal prison for her role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy across South Dakota, including several Indian reservations. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell and took place on March 5, 2025.
Rikki Renee Barrowman, also known as Juree T Rials, aged 34, received a sentence of 22 years and 11 months in federal prison. This will be followed by five years of supervised release. Additionally, she was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Barrowman was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024 for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and pleaded guilty on December 5, 2024. Her conviction is linked to a drug conspiracy that began in January 2021 and continued until July 2022. During this period, Barrowman participated with others in distributing approximately 65 kilograms of methamphetamine throughout western and central South Dakota. This included areas such as the Pine Ridge Sioux Indian Reservation, the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation, the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation, Rapid City, and Pierre.
The investigation revealed that Barrowman supplied methamphetamine from Denver to various individuals who then transported it to South Dakota for further distribution. Firearms were reportedly traded for narcotics as part of this conspiracy.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched a strategy on May 26, 2021, focusing on fostering trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation involved the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Following her sentencing, Barrowman was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.