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United States of America v. Michael Cole, a/k/a “Texasâ€
Date: 08-26-2025
Case Number: 5:24-cr-50128
Judge: Camela C. Theeler
Court: The United States District Court for the District of South Dakota (Pennington County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Rapid City
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Rapid City, South Dakota Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Rapid City, South Dakota criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Rapid City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for 20 Years for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in the Rapid City Area
U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced a man from Rapid City, South Dakota, convicted of two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Michael Cole, a/k/a "Texas,†34, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. For Count 2, Cole was also sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Both sentences are set to run concurrently.
Cole was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024. He pleaded guilty on March 31, 2025.
Between January 2024 and February 2024, Cole engaged in a conspiracy with others to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl throughout the Rapid City area. Cole travelled to Colorado, where he purchased large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Cole would then transport the narcotics back to South Dakota for further distribution. Cole was on federal supervised release for a prior drug conspiracy at the time of his participation in this conspiracy.
"This investigation resulted in the seizure of more than seven pounds of methamphetamine and over 2,000 counterfeit M/30 fentanyl pills destined for distribution in the Rapid City area,†said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. "Thanks to the dogged work of the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team and this resulting federal prosecution, Cole will be spending the next two decades of his life in prison.â€
This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is comprised of investigators from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Pennington County Sheriff's Office, Rapid City Polic Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the National Guard Counter Drug Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward C. Tarbay prosecuted the case.
Cole was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. For Count 2, Cole was also sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Michael Cole, a/k/a “Te...?
The outcome was: 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. For Count 2, Cole was also sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Which court heard United States of America v. Michael Cole, a/k/a “Te...?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the District of South Dakota (Pennington County), SD. The presiding judge was Camela C. Theeler.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Michael Cole, a/k/a “Te...?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Rapid City. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Rapid City, South Dakota Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Michael Cole, a/k/a “Te... decided?
This case was decided on August 26, 2025.