Nebraska Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Smithfield, Nebraska, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on November 4, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Marcitta Connors, age 25, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison, followed by 6 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Connors was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 11, 2018.  She pled guilty on August 19, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from a drug conspiracy that occurred between January 1, 2015, and September 11, 2018.  During the course of this conspiracy, Connors knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Connors worked with others in Nebraska and elsewhere to bring pounds of methamphetamine per trip onto the reservation where it was distributed by Connors and others.  This conspiracy involved between 15 kilograms and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine.  Also, during the course of the conspiracy, many firearms were traded between Connors and others for methamphetamine.

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity.  Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers.  It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, Northern Plains Safe Trials Drug Enforcement Task Force, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Nebraska State Patrol, and the Lexington Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Connors was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.