Attorney General Jackley Announces Indictment After Arrest of 207 Pounds of Crystal Methamphetamine

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a 42-year-old Fresno, CA man has been indicted on two felony counts after he was arrested Friday night transporting 207 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in Sturgis. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office and the Meade County State’s Attorney’s.

“Meth of any amount is dangerous, but distribution of meth with a street value of $12 million would have led to grave consequences for our citizens,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I appreciate the excellent work of the South Dakota Highway Patrol in stopping and arresting this defendant.”

Alonso Molinacorona, who is a Mexican national, was indicted by a Meade County Grand Jury of one count of Possession of Methamphetamine, of more than five grams, with Intent to Distribute, and one alternate count of Unauthorized Possession of a Controlled Drug or Substance. The first count is a Class Three Felony that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison and a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. The alternate count is a Class Five Felony which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Molinacorona was stopped by a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper for speeding on Interstate 90 in Sturgis. The drugs were discovered in the vehicle.

Molinacorona made his first appearance in Meade County Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty. His next court appearance is scheduled for 4 p.m. MDT on Sept. 10, 2025. The defendant is being held without bond. He is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

Assisting agencies include the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Meade County Sheriff’s Office, and Rapid City Police Department.

Attorney General Jackley expects federal charges to be filed as well.

Attorney General Jackley Announces South Dakota Leads Bipartisan Amicus Brief in Support of American Ranchers

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that he is leading a bipartisan coalition of 11 Attorneys General that has filed an amicus brief that supports cattle ranchers against manufacturers who are selling foreign-sourced beef products under a “Product of USA” label.

“Ranchers in South Dakota and across America work hard to produce the highest quality beef products in the world,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The ‘Product of USA’ label is a brand that reflects the quality of American beef.”

South Dakota ranchers filed suit in South Dakota Federal District Court after the U.S. Department of Agriculture erroneously allowed the manufacturers to use the “Product of USA” label on its foreign-sourced beef products. The District Court ruled in favor of the ranchers. The case is on appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In their brief, the Attorneys General point out that the Department of Agriculture now acknowledges that use of the label for foreign-sourced beef product conflicts with federal requirements and have asked the court to order the manufacturers to stop falsely labeling their beef as a “Product of USA.”

“Selling lower-quality foreign beef with a ‘Product of USA’ label misleads consumers and harms the reputation and financial interests of American ranchers,” Jackley said. ”Consumers should not be fooled into paying a premium price for substandard foreign beef product under a false ‘Product of USA’ label.”

The Attorneys General of Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming joined in supporting American ranchers and consumers.

South Dakota’s brief can be found here: https://atg.sd.gov/docs/PSS%20%20Taylor%20Baker.JBS%20Foods%2025.1986.pdf.

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I had someone sent this to me, and they have my sincere thanks and pity that they sat through this much goofy to pluck this nugget out to share from an interview that someone did with House Majority Whip and District 3 State Representative Brandei Schaefbauer – start about 1:05:15:00

“He (Fauci) should be on death row, for killing millions and millions of people...  If something doesn’t happen with russia-gate or Epstein, there is going to believe a revolt of the american people. I mean, we have all been promised that something is going to happen, and we get this little… give us this little nugget and this is a pacifier for us. Well, no, I think the way things are going – people are so upset and they have nothing else to lose – so why not lets just start a civil war again.” – State Representative Brandei Schaefbauer.

I’m not sure what you do with that.

In July, everyone was saying that “the SDGOP they can’t do worse than only raising $85.”  And it seems like former 32 year Democrat Jim Eschenbaum must have declared hold my beer – because they managed to do just that.

The SDGOP raised ZERO dollars between July 1 and July 31 of 2025.

SDGOP July 2025 FEC Report by Pat Powers

Wow. Just wow.   Zero contributions.  ZERO.

They might have received something from county organizations that would go into the state account. But absolutely no on-line donations via WinRed which runs through federally.  They did transfer $4654.73 from the state account into their federal account. Which I’m guessing is to cover expenses..

The party had about $2800 in expenses, with about $32,867 left over after moving money.  $32,800…   Which, if you think about it, might constitute most of their money for the SDGOP Raffle.

Because according to their records, they’ve got nearly $38,000 worth of not terribly expensive guns that they’ve committed to give away weekly.

Well, the SDGOP seems to have managed to make history this month.

Because I don’t think they’ve ever had a month where they raised absolutely nothing.

Brookings Bureau: Brookings County Sets Sept. 2 Hearing on $29 Million 2026 Budget

In Brief: Proposed spending plan includes major allocations for roads, public safety, and health services
By Todd Epp, Northern Plains News

The Brookings County Commission will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 9 a.m. to review the county’s proposed $29 million provisional budget for 2026.

The hearing will take place at the Brookings City & County Government Center, 520 Third St., Suite 310. Residents may attend in person or send a representative to comment on the proposed allocations before the commission adopts a final budget Sept. 23.

The proposed budget outlines funding for general government, public safety, roads and bridges, health services, cultural programs, and debt service. It also includes allocations for specialized funds such as opioid settlement programs, rural infrastructure, and domestic abuse services.

The general fund totals $19.6 million, with the largest share—$7.3 million—earmarked for highways and bridges. Public safety spending, including the sheriff’s office, jail operations, and emergency services, is budgeted at $6.4 million.

Other notable appropriations include $663,572 for health and welfare programs, $456,954 for culture and recreation, and $556,252 for conservation of natural resources. The county building fund is budgeted at $436,133, and debt service at $508,900.

The budget is funded primarily through $16.1 million in property taxes, along with state and federal revenues, licenses, fees, and other local sources. The county’s property tax levy is set at $3.87 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

Brookings County Finance Officer Lori Schultz said the hearing will provide “a full and complete discussion” of the budget’s purposes, objectives, and appropriations.

Please help me welcome Northern Plains News for a run on advertiser’s row, as they encourage your readership. They also join our friends such as the Dusty Johnson for Governor campaign, US Senator John Thune, United States Senator Mike Rounds, Dakota Town Hall, and my own Dakota Campaign Store.

If you’re thinking of running, spots on SDWC are first some first serve, so get that ad set in stone today!

I have a number of spots open, and questions on ad prices, ad positions, and ad commitments may be directed to the webmaster by clicking here. The #1 spot as well as the #2 position on the right, along with spots lower down on both sides of the page are all available.

Ads run in their position through the site, meaning they are not rotated.  As noted, advertising is available on a first-come first-served basis, and discounts are provided for extended commitments. Ads may be swapped out at no charge during the ad commitment, just give me fair warning as sometimes I’m on the road, and I always want to accommodate.

Information on ad prices, ad positions, and ad commitments may be directed to the webmaster by clicking here.

Highway Patrol Makes Record Meth Seizure

Non-Citizen Offender Shows Urgent Need for Operation: Prairie Thunder

STURGIS, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced a record drug seizure by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, showing the urgent need for Operation: Prairie Thunder.

The Highway Patrol apprehended a 42-year-old male who was stopped while driving and found to be transporting approximately 207 pounds of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of $12 million. This is the largest meth seizure in Highway Patrol history. The driver was found to be a non-citizen and is now in immigration proceedings. A photo of the meth seizure can be found here.

“We are taking action to protect the people of South Dakota from criminals and drug traffickers. Our Highway Patrol showed incredible professionalism in achieving this record drug bust,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I promised that my administration would keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free – and we will continue to deliver on that promise through Operation: Prairie Thunder.”

This is the eighth non-citizen stopped by the Highway Patrol since its 287(g) agreement was signed with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In these instances, the Highway Patrol works closely with ICE to coordinate transfer to federal custody, which is a key, ongoing component of Operation: Prairie Thunder.

The driver was a 42-year-old male initially stopped for speeding on Interstate 90 in Sturgis by a Highway Patrol trooper. The driver exhibited behaviors consistent with criminal activity. During the stop, a police service dog alerted the trooper to the presence of an odor it is trained to detect. A search of the vehicle then yielded 207.24 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, valued at approximately $12 million. The vehicle was seized as part of the investigation.

The driver is charged with:

• Felony Distribution/Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance II;
• Felony Possession of a Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II; and
• Misdemeanor Possession or use of Drug Paraphernalia.

The driver is presumed innocent on all charges under the U.S. Constitution.

Assisting agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Meade County Sheriff’s Office, and Rapid City Police Department.

The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

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Independent Consultant Names Benson Road Site Best Prison Location

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that the third-party consultant for the prison task force ranked the Benson Road site as the best prison location among the options under consideration. The analysis was done by Arrington Watkins, the prison task force’s independent consultant.

“If you followed the prison task force, you know that our consultant did an analysis of the Lincoln County site and five alternative sites, based on several criteria, and scored the Lincoln County site the highest,” said Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen. “The Benson Road site, though, had not been offered at that time and was not scored. The prison task force’s consultant has analyzed this new site and now considers the Benson Road site to be the best site available.”

Arrington Watkins cited the following as prime attributes contributing to the Benson Road site’s favorable rating:

• It is within a preferred 30-mile radius of Sioux Falls;
• Site utilities, including water, sewer, storm, and power, are available along Benson Road;
• Multiple points of entry exist; and
• Minimal additional costs will be needed to extend utilities.

Governor Larry Rhoden previously announced that the State of South Dakota has entered into a purchase agreement that grants the State the option to purchase land at the Benson Road site. This agreement represents over $10 million savings on what was estimated by the prison task force.

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While there’s a chance I might be heading out to Boston (possibly for the last time I have to go for kid stuff – yeah!), the Brookings County Republican Summer Picnic is this Friday, August 15 at 6:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Park (Shelter A).

Republican Elected Officials and Candidates are invited to help in the serving line and greet the voters.  After the meal there will be introductions and remarks.

The Secretary of State and Board of Elections are meeting this week on some big issues, according to the South Dakota Register, including the rules to lower the cost of obtaining a voter list, what the process of selecting a Lt. Governor will look like for Gubernatorial Candidates, and what the rules are for disqualifying a voter:

• Tomorrow, on August 12th, the Office of the Secretary of State will hold a hearing to Amend or repeal rules to lower the cost of obtaining a voter registration list; lower the cost of obtaining an absentee voter list; remove the bond requirement from obtaining a notary public certification; and remove the bond requirement associated with a notary public change record; (52 SDR 4, July 14, 2025)
• On Thursday, August 14th, the South Dakota Board of Elections (Office of the Secretary of State): Amend and adopt rules to provide for the registration of a federal voter; require that the signer’s address on a petition and the signer’s voter registration address be substantially the same; allow partisan candidates for Governor to nominate a candidate for lieutenant governor; require a description of the location of an applicant’s residence and provide for the designation of a federal voter on an absentee ballot application form; require a description of the location of an applicant’s residence and include an updated list of political parties on an in-office absentee ballot application form; provide instructions for a petition for recount that require that legislative candidates file a petition with the secretary of state; allow for the right to vote of any registered voter to be challenged; prepare an application to allow the right to vote of any registered voter to be challenged; establish a list to specify the documentation that must be provided as evidence for a voter registration challenge; establish a list to specify the documentation that must be provided to demonstrate a challenged voter’s qualifications as a registered voter; and establish guidelines for county auditors to use when determining the validity of a voter registration challenge (52 SDR 4, July 14, 2025).