A Fort Thompson man has been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in central South Dakota. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons and took place on February 2, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte.
Dillon Big Eagle, age 35, received a sentence of eleven years and eight months in federal prison. He will also serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment, pay a $1,000 fine, and make a $100 special assessment payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Big Eagle was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024 and pleaded guilty on November 10, 2025.
The conviction is related to a drug conspiracy that occurred from January 2023 through December 2023. Authorities stated that Big Eagle conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine throughout central South Dakota, including within the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservations. According to court records, he participated in distributing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine during this period.
The investigation involved the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.
Following sentencing, Big Eagle was remanded immediately into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
