Attorney General Marty Jackley said the state is filing dozens of charges in connection to two separate prison investigations — one involving a deadly drug ring, the other a series of assaults at the state penitentiary.
Two people are facing charges in connection to the drug ring. One is an inmate, the other is a Sioux Falls resident.
@SDAttorneyGen Marty Jackley is now announcing indictments into the drug overdose deaths of two prison inmates and the May 27 disturbance at the prison. Indictments cover 26 total defendants. pic.twitter.com/F2kqBekqxs
— SD Attorney General Marty Jackley (@SDAttorneyGen) June 24, 2025
Inmate Manarion Timothy Douglas Fuse, 21, is accused of providing synthetic cannabinoids to fellow inmate Anthony Richards on Feb. 6. Jackley said Richards died of a drug overdose that night.
Fuse is charged with distribution of a controlled substance resulting in a death, which is punishable by up to 70 years in prison.
The other suspect facing drug charges is Melibu Lynn Ross, a 49-year-old Sioux Falls woman. Jackley said she smuggled methamphetamine into prison on May 14 while visiting inmate Jason Garreau. Garreau died the following day.
If convicted, Ross faces up to 25 years in prison.
Jackley said the investigation continues into the suspected drug overdose deaths of two other inmates this year.
“We are holding individuals accountable for distributing illegal drugs,” Jackley said Tuesday. “Their action led to the tragic and preventable loss of life.”
Meantime, 24 inmates are charged in connection to a series of assaults at the penitentiary on May 27. Jackley said 14 inmates were injured in the violent outbreak.
The charges range from misdemeanor simple assault to felony aggravated assault and rioting.
“The defendants orchestrated violent assaults that endangered both inmates and staff,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The Attorney General will hold accountable those engaging in violence within the prison walls.”
The attorney general's office is prosecuting both the drug ring and the assault cases.