A Mitchell man is facing drug and firearms charges.
Eli Erickson, age 31, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
Erickson has pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The Indictment alleges that beginning at a time unknown but no later than January 1, 2016, and continuing through the date the Indictment was filed, Erickson combined, conspired, confederated and agreed with persons to knowingly distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams of more of methamphetamine. The Indictment also alleges that during this time, Erickson possessed multiple firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. One of the firearms Erickson possessed was a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and another had the serial number obliterated.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Erickson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
(SD Attorney General)