Sioux Falls Couple Sentenced for Meth Trafficking Conspiracy

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man and a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Lanny Leif Vensand, Jr., age 58, was sentenced on September 27, 2021, to 235 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Robin Jo Vensand, a/k/a Robin Jo Graff, age 57, was sentenced on October 13, 2021, to 262 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

The Vensands were indicted by a federal grand jury on January 12, 2021. Lanny pled guilty on June 18, 2021, and Robin pled guilty on June 21, 2021.

The convictions stemmed from incidents beginning on an unknown date and continuing until on or about January 12, 2021, when the Vensands knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and with others, to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, which is a Schedule II controlled substance.

They voluntarily and intentionally joined in an agreement or understanding to distribute methamphetamine. At the time they joined in the agreement or understanding, they both knew the purpose of that agreement or understanding.

They purchased over 500 grams of methamphetamine from co-conspirators, which they sold to other co-conspirators. They were aware that the methamphetamine supplied would be distributed to drug customers in South Dakota and elsewhere.

This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Lanny Vensand and Robin Vensand were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.