Pierre Man and Woman Sentenced to Lengthy Terms in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Pierre, South Dakota man and woman in a case charging Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.

Brandon Hitt, age 41, and Luticia Falcon, age 41, were indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2025.

On March 19, 2026, Falcon pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. On June 15, 2026, she was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crimes Victim Fund.

On June 15, 2026, Hitt pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. On July 20, 2026, he was sentenced to 26 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The court also ordered forfeiture of numerous firearms.

These convictions stemmed from an extensive drug distribution conspiracy beginning in June 2024 and continuing until October 2025. Hitt was the source of supply for several individuals in the Pierre and Rapid City, South Dakota, areas. He obtained his drugs from individuals in Texas. Hitt would acquire up to five kilograms of methamphetamine at a time. Falcon would help transport the methamphetamine from Texas to South Dakota where she and others would distribute it on behalf of Hitt. As part of the conspiracy, Hitt, who is a convicted felon, would routinely carry firearms. The conspiracy involved between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine. Five other co-defendants are currently set for trial on November 3, 2026.

"These substantial prison sentences removing these dangerous drug dealers from our community are the result of the incredible cooperation, teamwork and hard work by all levels of law enforcement in our state," said U.S. Attorney Parsons. "That work continues until all of our communities are safe."

"We are removing illegal drugs from our communities thanks to strong partnerships among law enforcement at every level. We share a common goal: keeping our citizens safe," said South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the FBI Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Pierre Police Department, the Hughes County Sheriff's Office, the Rapid City Police Department, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

Following their sentencing hearings, both Falcon and Hitt were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.