Sioux Empire Today

A federal jury in Rapid City, South Dakota, has found Curtis Cummings guilty of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. The conviction was announced by United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell following a three-day trial. The verdict was delivered on November 7, 2024.

Cummings, aged 39 and from Rapid City, faces severe penalties due to the charges. These include a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment, a fine up to $10 million, five years to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The indictment against Cummings was issued by a federal grand jury in June 2023. His involvement included participating in an extensive fentanyl distribution operation within the Rapid City area from December 2021 through June 2023. Cummings and his associates regularly traveled to Colorado for large quantities of fentanyl pills which he then distributed from his home upon returning.

On April 26, 2022, an individual consumed fentanyl pills distributed by Cummings or his associates and subsequently died from an overdose.

The case investigation was led by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) alongside the Drug Enforcement Agency. UNET consists of personnel from various law enforcement agencies including the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Edward C. Tarbay were responsible for prosecuting the case.

Following the trial outcome, a presentence investigation has been ordered with sentencing scheduled for January 24, 2025. In the meantime, Cummings remains in custody under the U.S. Marshals Service.