Rapid City, South Dakota – A federal grand jury has indicted Misty Standing Bear, 49, and Mason Big Crow, 52, on charges of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, specifically fentanyl, following an investigation into trafficking in and around the Pine Ridge Reservation and Rapid City area.
The indictment, issued in May 2026, alleges that the couple engaged in a multi-year conspiracy beginning at least in 2021. They are accused of traveling to other states to purchase thousands of counterfeit M/30 fentanyl pills, which were then trafficked to South Dakota for distribution.
Investigators found the defendants actively involved in fentanyl trafficking as recently as May 2026, when Standing Bear allegedly traveled to Colorado at Big Crow’s direction to purchase 1,000 counterfeit M/30 fentanyl pills. Big Crow, who was the treasurer for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and Standing Bear are also accused of paying for a portion of the fentanyl with tribal funds through fraudulent tribal assistance checks.
U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons said, "We look forward to proving these crimes in federal court and holding these two fentanyl traffickers accountable for their actions." FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson added that Big Crow, "already alleged to have committed crimes against his community for personal gain, is now alleged to have conspired to distribute dangerous narcotics to that same community along with his wife Misty Standing Bear."
Both Standing Bear and Big Crow pleaded not guilty to the Indictment. Standing Bear has been released on bond, while Big Crow remains in custody pending trial. The charge is merely an accusation, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.