Five people are indicted in connection to transporting contraband into the South Dakota State Penitentiary.
While drugs entering the building isn’t new, Attorney General Marty Jackley said a DCI investigation uncovered a piece of the puzzle.
Jackley echoed the questions many have asked when overdose deaths and other drug related offenses are reported in the State Penitentiary.
“Where are the drugs coming from?" Jackley asked. "How are they getting into the prison?"
In a press conference on Thursday, he announced the DCI has uncovered some answers.
Five people are indicted: former DOC Correctional officer Carson DeYoung, two current penitentiary inmates — Max Bolden, who’s serving a life sentence for murder, and Simba Oma Maat, who’s serving sentences on burglary charges and set to be released in 2028—Sioux Falls resident Nancy Sage and Denver resident Chandler Boone.
All five are charged for transporting methamphetamine, K2—a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the effects of THC— a cell phone and a vape pen within the walls of the state penitentiary from Aug. 8-14. For inmates Bolden and Maat, the maximum sentences for all five charges are doubled. Jackley said it’s possible they acted outside that date range as well.
Jackley pointed to a recent change in the law from the 2025 Legislative Session that is already paying dividends in this case.
"With respect to the third count, it involves contraband. It involves a cellphone. I want to talk a little more about that count. You may recall last session I came to the Legislature and indicated to them we were starting to see certain items, such as cellphones, that were being used for the drug trade. They were being used to harm officers. So, the Legislature put that newly in place as a five-year felony."
He's referring to 2025 Senate Bill 59, which passed with strong support in both the state Senate and House of Representatives.
The charges allege Boone procured items and mailed them to Sage in Sioux Falls. DeYoung, the former correctional officer, had not yet transported these particular items into the pen but had agreed to.
Jackley said the discovery was possible through collaboration with the DOC.
“I want to make clear that the Department of Corrections cooperated throughout this investigation," Jackley said. "I credit DCI for an excellent and thorough investigation.”
Jackley said while the case has allegations of an inside actor in the DOC, it doesn't mean the public should lose faith in South Dakota's corrections officers.
DeYoung is also charged with felony counts of intending to deliver and distribute an anabolic steroid to an inmate. Jackley said more details will come out on DeYoung’s alleged actions in the conspiracy, but points at one potential reason for involvement.
“You know, certainly there are financial aspects of this that I’m not going to go into detail,” Jackley said.
Jackley said he thinks the “substantial” charges send a message that his office won’t stop until it can complete an investigation and hold bad actors responsible.
"I think it's going to be a deterrent. I think it sends the message to folks inside the penitentiary and out that we're prepared to do our investigations, that we're going to follow up, we're not going to stop and when we complete an investigation, we're going to bring substantial charges," Jackley said. "And that's what happened. Even if somebody is serving a life sentence, we're not going to stop. We're going to hold them responsible for whatever criminal activity they engage in."
The Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
