Geraldine Blue Bird, the leader of a drug trafficking ring on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, was sentenced to 34 years in prison. Blue Bird, 51, distributed more than 16 kilos of cocaine on the reservation. She was convicted on charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using or carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. At one point, Blue Bird was seen as a community leader. She took in children who didn't have homes and once met with former President Bill Clinton to talk about issues on the reservation. "You were a role model for many people, someone that people looked up to," Judge Karen Schreier told Blue Bird on Wednesday during a sentencing hearing, The Rapid City Journal reported. "I find that appalling." is one of 28 people indicted in connection with the drug ring. Get the Story:
Drug ringleader sentenced to 34 years (The Rapid City Journal 4/5)
Pine Ridge woman once honored by Clinton gets 34 years in prison (AP 4/5) Related Stories:
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Woman sentenced for Pine Ridge drug trafficking (01/12)
More indictments in Pine Ridge drug trafficking ring (12/06)
Mistrial sought in Pine Ridge trafficking case (10/19)
Jury finds five guilty in Pine Ridge trafficking case (10/5)
Pine Ridge drug trafficking case sent to jury (10/4)
Five on trial for trafficking cocaine to Pine Ridge (09/20)
