A major drug bust in Sturgis has led to felony charges against a 42-year-old man from Fresno, California, after authorities discovered 207 pounds of crystal methamphetamine during a traffic stop.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that Alonso Molinacorona, a Mexican national, was indicted by a Meade County Grand Jury on two felony counts: possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (over five grams), and unauthorized possession of a controlled substance.
The first charge, a Class 3 felony, carries a mandatory minimum of one year in prison and a maximum of 15 years plus a $30,000 fine. The alternate charge, a Class 5 felony, could result in up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Molinacorona was pulled over by a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper for speeding on Interstate 90. The meth, valued at approximately $12 million, was discovered inside the vehicle.
Molinacorona appeared in Meade County Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty. He is currently being held without bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for September 10, 2025, at 4 p.m. MDT. He remains presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.
Multiple agencies assisted in the investigation, including the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Meade County Sheriff’s Office, and Rapid City Police Department.
Federal charges are expected to follow.
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