A Pierre woman has been sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for her role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that operated in the Pierre area. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte handed down the sentence to Misty Stahlhoefer, 42, on July 21, 2025. In addition to her prison term, Stahlhoefer will serve five years of supervised release and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Stahlhoefer was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024 and pleaded guilty on April 14, 2025. The case involved a drug distribution network that began in June 2023 and continued until September 2024. Prosecutors said Misty Stahlhoefer and co-defendant Heather Stahlhoefer supplied methamphetamine to several individuals for further distribution in the community. Authorities estimate that between 30 and 35 pounds of methamphetamine were distributed as part of the conspiracy.
“Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the FBI’s Northern Plains Safe Trails Task Force, the Pierre Police Department, the Chamberlain Police Department, and the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office, Misty Stahlhoefer and her local co-conspirators are facing significant time in federal prison for pushing drugs that are ravaging our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “Drug traffickers should take note that in South Dakota, they will be met with the full force of law enforcement—federal, state, local, and tribal—and unrelenting federal prosecution out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
“For years, Misty Stahlhoefer distributed illegal drugs in the Pierre, SD area,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Stahlhoefer will pay dearly for her reprehensible conduct. Those who choose to harm our community by enriching themselves and leading others to drug addiction will pay a heavy price. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to rid our communities of illegal drugs.”
Five other co-defendants have already received sentences ranging from two years up to eighteen years in federal prison: Heather Stahlhoefer was sentenced to eighteen years; Whitney Marrowbone received eleven years; Wendy Mealer six years; Brent Larvie four years and six months; David Rinehart two years. Another defendant, Heath Choal, is scheduled for sentencing on September 2, 2025.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI’s Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force as well as local police departments from Pierre and Chamberlain and the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.
Following sentencing, Misty Stahlhoefer was remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
