United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Scott Reiners, a resident of Pierre, South Dakota, has been sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte handed down the sentence following Reiners’ conviction for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Reiners, aged 37, received a sentence of 12 years and four months in federal prison. Following his release, he will be subject to five years of supervised release and must pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund along with a $1,000 fine.
The charges against Reiners originated from his involvement in a drug conspiracy between September 2022 and April 2023. During this period, Reiners and others distributed methamphetamine across central South Dakota, including areas within the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservations. The conspiracy involved distributing between 5 kilograms and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine. Additionally, during a traffic stop, law enforcement seized 254 grams of nearly pure methamphetamine and a handgun from Reiners. Due to three prior felony convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy as part of PSN.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges led the prosecution.
Reiners has been remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
