A federal jury found five people guilty of trafficking drugs to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

Geraldine Blue Bird, Colin Spotted Elk, Marvella Richards, Flint Thomas Red Feather and Rusty Richards went on trial for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. They were found guilty on all counts.

Blue Bird, who was said to be the leader of the drug ring, was also convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute marijuana and using or carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Spotted Elk, who is Blue Bird's son, was found guilty of the same crimes. . Red Feather was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

The five were among 17 people charged in connection with distributing drugs to the reservation. The remaining 12 pleaded guilty and some of them testified at trial.

Get the Story:
Five found guilty of drug crimes (The Rapid City Journal 10/5)

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