United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Kenel, South Dakota, man charged with Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on January 4, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Kass Gayton, age 32, was sentenced to 3 years of probation, a $1,000 fine, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Gayton was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 8, 2015. He pled guilty on October 31, 2016.
The conviction stems from an incident that took place on July 22, 2015, when the Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement, acting on a tip from Prairie Knights Casino security, began an investigation into four individuals who were reported to have been selling methamphetamine. Security directed law enforcement’s attention to two vehicles the individuals had been using. A drug dog was used around the outside of the vehicles and “indicated” on both vehicles. Law enforcement applied for, and obtained, federal search warrants for the two vehicles and found methamphetamine.
Gayton had been selling small amounts of methamphetamine on the Standing Rock Reservation.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley.