Pine Ridge man sentenced to 15 years on meth trafficking

RAPID CITY—US District Judge Karen Schreier handed down a sentence for Lew Bettelyoun, 46, Pine Ridge, on July 8 for 15 years in prison, and five years supervised release, after Bettelyoun was convicted of Methamphetamine trafficking.

Bettelyoun pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense on June 3 as part of a plea deal, he will serve 10 years for the drug charge and five years for the firearm charge.

In a signed factual basis statement, Bettelyoun admitted to obtaining methamphetamine and distributing it to others, who he knew would distribute it further. At least 500 grams of meth were distributed during the course of the conspiracy, which lasted from January 2013 until October 2018. Law enforcement arrested Bettelyoun on October 3, 2018 at Pine Ridge.

A federal grand jury originally charged Bettelyoun on September 18 2018 with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, but later expanded the charges to include carrying a firearm during a trafficking offense and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

US Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann allowed Bettelyoun out on pretrial release on October 5, 2018 on the conditions he not commit any additional offenses, use or possess any illegal substances or have contact with witnesses. In January 2022, the prosecution submitted a motion to revoke bond and arrest Bettelyoun on the grounds he continues to deal meth during his pretrial release. The prosecution pointed to information from seven different people attesting to Bettelyoun both buying and selling the drug. Law enforcement arrested him a second time in Pine Ridge on February 14.

The judge ordered Bettelyoun pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Multiple local and federal agencies investigated the case. US Assistant Attorney Katheryn Rich prosecuted. Katie Thompson represented Bettelyoun.

(Contact Joe Budd at sales2@nativesunnews.today)

 

The post Pine Ridge man sentenced to 15 years on meth trafficking first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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