Woman Sentenced in Slain Drug Dealer Case

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — A woman who authorities say trucked 270 pounds of marijuana from California to South Dakota as part of a drug distribution ring has been sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison.

The drugs collected by 35-year-old Holly Kleinsasser eventually went to several dealers in southeastern South Dakota, including Jordan LeBeau and the men who plotted to rob him of $100,000 in drug money last December.

LeBeau was shot and killed during the robbery and his father was permanently injured. Two Watertown teenagers have pleaded guilty to assault and manslaughter in the case.

The Argus Leader reports that defense lawyer Brett Waltner described Kleinsasser as a relatively minor player in a major operation that led to charges against several people including Kleinsasser's half-sister, who was LeBeau's girlfriend.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.