United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Las Vegas, Nevada, man was convicted of Obstructing Justice by Retaliating Against a Witness following a federal court trial held in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Edward Martin, age 50, was charged in December of 2021. The conviction stems from Martin threatening an individual who had provided information to law enforcement about a drug conspiracy in which Martin was involved. Martin made threatening comments to the individual in an attempt to dissuade the individual from testifying against Martin’s co-conspirators in pending federal criminal proceedings.
The investigation was conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.
Martin faces a potential custody sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.