In federal court in Fargo today (Fri), a Detroit man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in a large drug trafficking organization targeting the Spirit Lake, Turtle Mountain and Fort Berthold Reservations.
Thirty-two year-old Darius Sledge must also serve three years’ supervised release after his sentence, according to U-S District Judge Daniel Hovland.
Last June, Sledge and another man, Baquan Sledge of Detroit, were found guilty on multiple counts. Baquan Sledge will be sentenced on Jan. 13th.
The cases are connected with “Operation Blue Prairie,” an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation into the multi-state trafficking of oxycodone.
A multi-agency investigation revealed that the Sledges and their co-conspirators targeted areas with fewer law enforcement resources where they could distribute controlled substances at a premium price.
The Sledges and others used local residences and people for distribution and stash houses to further their criminal activities for monetary gain.
A total of 26 defendants were charged in the case.
“This sentence is a warning to anyone targeting our tribal communities for the distribution of dangerous drugs: You will be caught, you will be prosecuted, and you will serve a long sentence in federal prison,” said US Attorney Mac Schneider. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to continuing our partnership with federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement to promote public safety in Indian country and across North Dakota.”
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