Sioux Empire Today

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pierre, South Dakota woman has been sentenced for her role in a drug distribution conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte handed down the sentence on May 14, 2025.

Heather Stahlhoefer, aged 38, received an 18-year federal prison sentence for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Her sentence includes five years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Stahlhoefer was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024 and pleaded guilty on March 10, 2025. The conspiracy began in June 2023 and continued until September 2024. Heather Stahlhoefer and co-defendant Misty Stahlhoefer were identified as sources of methamphetamine supply to individuals in the Pierre area. They acquired up to one pound of methamphetamine per trip for distribution by themselves and others including Whitney Marrowbone, Wendy Mealer, Brent Larvie, and David Rinehart. The case involved between 10,000 and 30,000 kilograms of converted drug weight with authorities recovering 550 grams of pure methamphetamine during a traffic stop involving Heather Stahlhoefer.

Misty Stahlhoefer is set for sentencing on July 14, 2025. Other co-conspirators have already been sentenced: Marrowbone received an 11-year prison term; Mealer was sentenced to six years; Larvie received four years and six months; while Rinehart was given two years.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force along with local law enforcement agencies including the Pierre Police Department, Chamberlain Police Department, and Lyman County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

Heather Stahlhoefer has been remanded into custody under the U.S. Marshals Service.