United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal jury has convicted Christopher Spider, also known as "House," from South Dakota, and Lance Brunsting from Colorado, of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine across South Dakota, including the Crow Creek Reservation. The verdict came after a four-day jury trial in Sioux Falls on March 27, 2025.
According to the charges, Spider and Brunsting could face a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment, a possible fine of $10 million, mandatory supervised release of at least five years up to life, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Spider has additionally been convicted of tampering with a witness, a charge that could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and another $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The federal grand jury indicted Spider and Brunsting in August 2023. They, along with other individuals, were involved in distributing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine across South Dakota.
Spider was found to have distributed around 30 pounds of methamphetamine on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation during the conspiracy. At one point, he attempted to intimidate a witness into altering her trial testimony, leading to an additional indictment for witness tampering.
Brunsting, residing in Denver, Colorado, participated by weighing, packaging, and distributing approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine. He traveled to South Dakota, assisting in selling about 41 pounds of the substance in South Dakota and Minnesota.
U.S. Attorney Ramsdell stated, "Christopher Spider and Lance Brunsting were involved in one of the largest methamphetamine conspiracies in South Dakota history. Our office was able to successfully prosecute the large-scale drug conspiracy thanks to the exceptional collaborative and investigative efforts of our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners. Last week’s convictions represent a crucial step toward bringing these individuals to justice for the roles they played in bringing hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics into our South Dakota communities.”
Rafael Mattei, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Omaha Division, remarked, “The two individuals convicted last week are responsible for inflicting immeasurable harm on members of our South Dakota communities. Their arrest and conviction should serve as a warning to drug traffickers that the combined efforts of state, local and federal law enforcement will bring those pushing these dangerous substances to justice.”
The case investigation involved multiple divisions of the Drug Enforcement Administration, including the Rocky Mountain Field Division, Omaha Field Division, Mexico City Country Office, Los Angeles Field Division, and the Special Operations Division, as well as the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, and other local law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado and other agencies also collaborated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation has been ordered, and sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2025. The defendants remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.