Two men from South Dakota have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in separate methamphetamine distribution conspiracies tied to Mexican drug cartels.
Harrison Caldwell, 31, of Pine Ridge, received a 10-year federal prison sentence for participating in what the U.S. Department of Justice described as a large-scale drug trafficking operation. The conspiracy involved distributing nearly pure methamphetamine in Rapid City and on the Pine Ridge Reservation. According to court documents, Caldwell joined the operation in November 2023. He was indicted in September 2024, pleaded guilty in June, and was sentenced on August 29.
Federal prosecutors say the methamphetamine distributed by Caldwell and his co-conspirators originated from Mexican cartels and was trafficked in substantial quantities throughout the region.
In a separate case, Jackie Corean, 63, of Black Hawk, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison. He was indicted in February 2024 and pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. His sentencing took place on September 2.
Between January 2022 and February 2024, Corean was allegedly involved in transporting large amounts of methamphetamine from Denver to South Dakota. Authorities say he allowed his residence to serve as a central distribution point. Investigators also uncovered plans to trade firearms for drugs in Colorado, but before those plans could be executed, law enforcement raided his home—seizing six firearms and various drug-related items.
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