Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Crimes

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. The sentencing took place on October 7, 2024.

George Lamoine Ridgway, age 55, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Ridgway was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty to that charge on July 19, 2024.

On March 25, 2023, Ridgway was pulled over for a traffic violation northwest of Yankton, South Dakota. His vehicle was searched and law enforcement discovered over five pounds of methamphetamine, along with various, unused packaging materials and baggies, and over $8,000 in cash. The investigation further discovered drug transaction conversations on Ridgway's cell phone with would-be customers.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

The defendant was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.