Minnesota man found guilty of meth and fentanyl distribution charges in Sioux Falls

A federal jury in Sioux Falls has found a Minnesota man guilty of conspiracy to distribute meth and fentanyl.

The United States Attorney’s Office says 36-year old Jerry Jerome Wise of Moorhead, Minnesota was indicted in April of 2021 with Damara Needham. Needham pleaded guilty to the same offenses in December and was sentenced to just over 10-years behind bars.

The two had obtained large amounts of meth and fentanyl in Arizona and were transporting it through South Dakota. In July of 2020, the two were stopped by the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Troopers discovered some 655 grams of meth and more than 700 fentanyl pills in Wise’s vehicle.

Officials say Wise and Needham admitted they intended to distribute the drugs

Wise faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and/or a $10 million fine. Sentencing is set for August 8th.

May 24, 2022