A man whose photograph was used by Gov. Kristi Noem as alleged proof of rampant drug cartel activity on tribal lands has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in Rapid City, but prosecutors said the case was not connected to cartels.

Charles Cain Merrival, 32, has spent most of the past four years in the Pennington County Jail in Rapid City, awaiting trial on federal drug conspiracy and firearms charges and a state-level robbery charge.

Native American man used by Noem as alleged proof of cartel presence takes plea deal in drug case

Merrival’s photo was shown to reporters at a spring news conference in Pierre, at which Gov. Kristi Noem doubled down on earlier comments about the prevalence and influence of Mexican drug cartels on South Dakota’s reservations. 

His name was not shown in the photo, but Noem showed it and a handful of other photos showing men who appeared to be Native American, wearing leather biker jackets, as the governor referenced drug activity on reservations. Merrival’s face was the clearest of any of the men who appeared in the photos.

Merrival is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, but was living in Rapid City when the criminal activity occurred. When contacted at the Pennington County Jail, Merrival said he hadn’t been to the reservation for years and that the photo Noem used was snapped inside a shopping mall in Rapid City.

Shortly after the election of Donald Trump to a second presidential term last month, Noem was announced as Trump’s choice to direct the Department of Homeland Security. That position would put her in charge of the U.S. southern border, across which most of the illicit methamphetamine and fentanyl flow. 

Noem’s comments on drug cartel influence – which contributed to votes by leadership in all nine South Dakota tribal governments to ban her from their lands – pointed the finger at drugs brought to the U.S. by people crossing the border illegally.

Merrival told Searchlight that Noem’s use of his image to make those points hindered his right to a fair trial by unfairly painting him with the broad brush of drug cartels – international crime syndicates to which Merrival insists he has no ties.

“Kristi Noem herself falsely labeled me a gang member that is affiliated with Mexican drug cartels and the commission of murders,” Merrival said in a phone interview last spring. “Because of Kristi Noem’s decision to personally intervene, any presumption of innocence that I had is gone forever.”

Merrival took a plea deal over the summer and admitted guilt for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in exchange for a cap of eight years in prison. 

Man in photo Noem used as alleged proof of cartels says it’s hindered his right to a fair trial

A press release on his sentencing from U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell said Merrival was involved in the conspiracy from July of 2021 through January of 2022, the month he was arrested after officers watched him pass a backpack containing methamphetamine and weapons to a co-conspirator. A search of Merrival turned up additional ammunition, the release said. 

“During the investigation, multiple sources confirmed Merrival’s history of violence and firearm possession. Merrival is prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions,” the release said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office press release also noted that Merrival had served as sergeant-at-arms for the Ghost Dance Motorcycle Club, a support group for the Bandidos. Merrival told Searchlight over the summer that the Ghost Dance group ceased to exist as a club in mid-2021. Merrival was released from the Pennington County Jail around that time after spending more than a year there awaiting trial on state-level robbery charges. He also has pending state cases for drug possession and harassing phone calls, the latter of which came during his time in jail. He returned to the Pennington County Jail in early 2022 and remained there until his sentencing late last month. 

Shortly after his sentencing hearing, Merrival sent a text to South Dakota Searchlight saying the subject of the governor’s cartel allegations came up at his sentencing. He did not respond to a follow-up text.

Ace Crawford, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, confirmed that the topic was broached at the sentencing and addressed by an assistant U.S. attorney (AUSA) in the courtroom.

“In response to a question by Judge Schreier, our AUSA did confirm in open court that Merrival’s case was not connected to Mexican drug cartels,” Crawford said via email.

The US Air Force has approved the temporary transfer of 17 B-1 Lancer supersonic heavy bombers from South to North Dakota in support of renovations for the incoming B-21 Raider aircraft.

The relocation will give way for a large runway construction project at the Lancer’s command center, Ellsworth AFB, North Dakota, which will also house the next-generation Raider bombers.

Included Lancer units will be stationed for 10 months at Grand Forks AFB, South Dakota, with the first planes to arrive this December to assist maintenance before the full B-1 fleet’s arrival next year.

B-1 operations led by Ellsworth’s 28th Bomb Wing will continue alongside the Grand Forks’ primary capability, RQ-4B Global Hawk intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aerial drones, supervised by the 319th Reconnaissance Wing.

The air force advised that locations near Ellsworth, particularly the Red River Valley, will experience heavy traffic consisting of construction equipment and military trucks as well as increased aerial noise throughout the fall and winter.

“The runway construction at Ellsworth AFB is a key milestone in ensuring we’re ready to receive the B-21 Raider,” 28th Bomb Wing Commander Col. Derek Oakley explained.

“This project illustrates the US Air Force’s commitment to our nation’s newest long-range strike bomber and to the surrounding community.”

US Air Force’s B-21 Program

Other infrastructure works that will support the B-21 Raiders at Ellsworth encompass specialized hangars, sustainment hubs, radio frequency stations, and a weapons training center.

In September, the air force revealed two additional installations in Missouri and Texas to house more of the future bomber.

The service is projected to acquire up to 100 Raiders starting in 2027 to bolster America’s long-range strike and nuclear deterrence posture.

The program already completed the aircraft’s maiden flight in 2023 and is now under low-rate initial production.

The Northrop Grumman Raider Aircraft

Manufactured by Northrop Grumman, the US Air Force’s B-21 Raider measures 54 feet (16 meters) long and has a wingspan of 132 feet (40 meters).

It has an empty weight of 70,000 pounds (31,751 kilograms) and a maximum weapon load capacity of 20,000 pounds (9,072 kilograms).

Although undisclosed, several sources estimate that the aircraft will have twin engines based on the generator installed in the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet for speeds of more than Mach 0.8 (614 miles/988 kilometers per hour).