Leaders of Reservation Drug Ring Sentenced

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — Two leaders of a violent group that distributed methamphetamine and cocaine on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation have been sentenced.

Authorities say 26-year-old Marco Uribe stuck the barrel of a handgun into the mouth of a kidnapping victim, and 26-year-old Jose Garcia gave partygoers free cocaine in an attempt to recruit them into the Mobridge-based drug ring.

The American News reports Uribe pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting kidnapping and a weapons charge, and was sentenced to nearly 18 years in prison.

Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy and weapons charges, and was sentenced to seven years.

Seven of the eight people charged with felonies in connection with the drug ring have now been sentenced, and the eighth has pleaded guilty and is to be sentenced Oct. 7.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.