Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Law
Tribe's public defender charged in meth conspiracy


Travis Whirlwind Soldier, the public defender for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. [PDF: Indictment].

Whirlwind Soldier, 28, was reportedly arrested on Monday while representing clients at the tribal courthouse, The Rapid City Journal reported. He made his initial appearance in federal court on Tuesday.

Whirlwind Soldier remains in custody pending a bond hearing today. He was indicted on December 14. The federal court docket contains information under seal and other information not available to the public.

Whirlwind Soldier has served as the tribe's public defender for about two years, The Journal said.

Get the Story:
Rosebud public defender indicted (The Rapid City Journal 12/21)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Tribes, state to combat meth problem (11/28)
Washoe Tribe joins fight against meth (11/01)
Crow Chairman: 'We have a meth epidemic' (10/26)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe hosts meth summit (10/07)
NAIHC expands program to deal with meth problem (09/29)
U.S. claims 400 meth arrests in 'Operation Wildfire' (08/31)
Washoe Tribe says meth invading communities (08/18)
Methamphetamine called a big problem for tribes (8/11)
Navajo Nation counts 32 active gangs, 500 members (08/05)
Reservation meth dealer given life prison sentence (07/08)
Nevada tribe concerned about methamphetamine use (06/22)
Plan seeks to combat meth problem in Montana (03/22)
Navajo police find methamphetamine in car (03/04)
Meth use a serious problem among Native youth (02/25)
Officials praise Navajo methamphetamine law (2/21)
Navajo Nation Council passes methamphetamine law (02/14)
Methamphetamine use explodes on reservation (2/7)
Idaho tribe to sign law enforcement agreement (02/03)
Navajo Nation peyote, meth legislation on hold (11/11)
Reservations called breeding ground for meth (11/08)
Navajo community worried about meth trafficking (10/20)
Film to expose dangers of meth on Navajo Nation (06/17)
Task force cracks drug rings in Indian Country (06/07)
Authorities bust drug ring on Oklahoma tribal land (05/06)
Calif. tribe, local police break up drug ring (01/29)