United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Willie Gene Murphy, Jr., age 51, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was found guilty of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of a Controlled Substance, as a result of a federal court trial in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on September 7, 2022.
On September 1, 2022, Murphy pleaded guilty to the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person in the same case pursuant to a Petition to Plead Guilty.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Murphy was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2022.
On December 17, 2019, Murphy knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Additionally, Murphy was a convicted felon and knowingly and intentionally possessed firearms, to wit: a Ruger, model AR-556, .5.56 x 45 mm, semi-automatic rifle, a Smith and Wesson, model SD40VE, .40 caliber handgun and a Smith and Wesson SD 9, 9-millimeter handgun.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered and the sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.