PIERRE – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Mandan, North Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on October 10, 2023. Chief Judge Lange also sentenced a Washington, D.C., man conviction of Misprision of a Felony. The sentencing took place on August 11, 2023.
Abdul Vann, age 48, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison, seven years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Samuel Vann, age 22, was sentenced to time served of seven months of custody, one year of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Abdul, his son Samuel, and two other co-defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. Abdul pleaded guilty on June 22, 2023. Samuel pleaded guilty on June 30, 2023.
The convictions stemmed from a drug conspiracy in December 2022 wherein Abdul Vann knowingly and intentionally agreed with others to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Abdul, and his three co-defendants were arrested while at a gas station in Oacoma. Their vehicles were searched and approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine was found in vacuum sealed bags wrapped as Christmas presents. Abdul and the co-defendants were transporting the methamphetamine from a source in Law Vegas, Nevada, to North Dakota for further distribution. Samuel Vann had actual knowledge of the conspiracy; however, he did not do anything to stop it. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.
This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Northern Plains Safe Trains Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case. The two remaining co-defendants will be sentenced later this month.
Samuel Vann was released following his sentencing. Abdul Vann was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.