United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the sentencing of four residents from Pierre, South Dakota, for their involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte on May 5, 2025.
Whitney Marrowbone, aged 30, received an 11-year federal prison sentence with an additional five years of supervised release. Wendy Mealer, aged 49, was sentenced to six years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Brent Larvie, aged 36, will serve four years and six months in federal prison with three years of supervised release thereafter. David Rinehart, aged 33, was given a two-year federal prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release.
Each defendant was also fined $1,000 and required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The convictions are related to a drug distribution conspiracy that took place between June 2023 and September 2024. Marrowbone, Mealer, Larvie, and Rinehart participated in distributing methamphetamine around Pierre and nearby areas. They obtained large quantities of methamphetamine from Heather and Misty Stahlhoefer and distributed it further. During the investigation led by law enforcement agencies including the FBI North Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and local police departments over 550 grams of pure methamphetamine were seized.
Heather Stahlhoefer is scheduled for sentencing on May 14, 2025; Misty Stahlhoefer's sentencing is set for July 14, 2025.
Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case with assistance from various law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.
Following their sentencing hearing Marrowbone, Rinehart, Mealer, and Larvie were taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.