Woman sentenced for Pine Ridge drug trafficking

Friday, January 12, 2007  

A Colorado woman was sentenced to 14 years in prison for her role in a drug-trafficking ring on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

Jean 'Chick' Merrival, 36, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. From her residence in Denver, she supplied marijuana and cocaine to drug dealers on the reservation.

Merrival cooperated with federal prosecutors and testified against others charged in the conspiracy. They included Geraldine Blue Bird, Colin Spotted Elk, Marvella Richards, Rusty Richards and Flint Thomas Red Feather, who went to trial and were convicted.

More than a dozen people were charged in connection with the trafficking ring.

Get the Story:
Pine Ridge drug-ring conspirator sentenced to 14 years (The Rapid City Journal 1/12)

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More indictments in Pine Ridge drug trafficking ring (12/06)
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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)