SEPTEMBER 2023:
Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Mandan, North Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.
Sarah Jahner Clifford, age 45, was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.
The conviction stemmed from a drug conspiracy beginning in January of 2021 and continuing until July of 2022. Clifford was involved in an extensive conspiracy with several other individuals to distribute methamphetamine in and around the central South Dakota area, including on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation and the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Clifford received significant quantities of methamphetamine from sources in Denver, Colorado. Clifford and others would transport the methamphetamine back to South Dakota where it was sold by Clifford and those working for her.
As part of the conspiracy Clifford possessed various firearms, including a Stevens Arms shogun and a Raven Arms pistol. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed the shotgun has a barrel length of 14 inches and is not registered to Clifford in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law. Further, Clifford is a felon and prohibited from possessing any firearms.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Northern Plains Safe Trains Drug Enforcement Task Force, and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from
occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Clifford was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
SEPTEMBER 2022:
Two South Dakota women have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Firearm charges.
44 year old Sarah Jahner Clifford of Gettysburg and 45 year old Tara Roberts of Ridgeview both pleaded not guilty.
The Indictment alleges that the two women were involved in a conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine in and around central South Dakota. The Indictment further alleges that Jahner-Clifford, who is a prohibited person, was illegally in possession of two firearms, including a short-barrel shotgun.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in custody, and/or a $10,000,000 fine, lifetime of supervised release, and $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Roberts was released on bond pending trial. Jahner-Clifford was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has been sent for November 15, 2022.
Source : Drgnews
