Blackhawk Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for More Than 26 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Blackhawk, South Dakota, man, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Darin Wherley, age 38, was sentenced on November 1, 2024, to 26 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Wherley was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2023, and pleaded guilty on June 12, 2024.

Wherley's conviction stemmed from his involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation in western South Dakota. During this conspiracy Wherley would supply thousands of dollars to Mark Bond to purchase large amounts of methamphetamine from his Colorado sources, Richard Glover and Teresa Goodroad. Once the drugs were in South Dakota, it would be distributed by various individuals. Between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine was distributed during the course of this criminal enterprise.

"Darin Wherley was involved in a drug conspiracy that brought nearly 100 pounds of methamphetamine into western South Dakota, including into the Pine Ridge Reservation," said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. "His 26-year sentence and the sentences handed down to his co-conspirators reflect not only the seriousness of the crimes committed, but also the persistence of the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force to locate, investigate, and hold accountable those who peddle illicit substances in our South Dakota communities."

Glover, Goodroad, Bond, and others part of this conspiracy were sentenced earlier this summer. Glover and Goodroad both received sentences of 17 years and six months in prison and Bond received a sentence of 26 years and eight months in prison.

This case was investigated by the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Wherley was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.