Luverne, Minnesota Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Luverne, Minnesota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on August 24, 2026.

Shaun Mitchell, 38, was sentenced to 13 years and four months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Mitchell was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in January 2024.

Investigators discovered that Mitchell worked with a co-conspirator to obtain large quantities of fentanyl pills from Denver and then sell them around the Sioux Falls area. The two men shared a phone and customers. Investigators utilized an informant to make two controlled purchases of fentanyl pills from Mitchell's co-conspirator and also to conduct a controlled purchase of 48 fentanyl pills from Mitchell. Eventually, investigators learned Mitchell had a storage unit in Sioux Falls, obtained a warrant for the unit, and ultimately discovered approximately 11,777 fentanyl pills inside the storage unit. In total, investigators believe Mitchell and his co-conspirator were responsible for trafficking approximately 40,000 fentanyl pills.

"This was a whole lot of fentanyl taken off the streets by these agents and officers, which means that lives were saved," said U.S. Attorney Parsons. "I'm grateful for our federal prosecutors and their teams, who have been working so hard to put drug dealers like this out of business and behind bars. Stayed tuned-there's a lot more to come."

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Mitchell was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.