United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Phil Pond, a resident of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was delivered by U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler on May 6, 2025.
Pond, aged 42, will also serve five years of supervised release following his prison term and is required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. His indictment occurred in January 2024, and he pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024.
The conspiracy involved the distribution of at least 500 grams of methamphetamine within South Dakota between 2022 and 2024. Co-conspirators sourced methamphetamine from both the Denver area and locally from Pine Ridge and Rapid City. Pond was aware that some of the methamphetamine he distributed would be further sold by others.
During sentencing, evidence showed that Pond played a significant role as an enforcer within the operation, employing intimidation and threats of violence to collect drug debts. He was identified as a leader in the conspiracy and provided methamphetamine to an individual under the age of 21.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. This task force includes agents from several agencies: FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Poppen and Anna Lindrooth led the prosecution.
Following his sentencing, Pond was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.