Multi-Agency Team Recognized for Outstanding Overdose Investigative Effort of the Year

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that the multi-agency team involved in the investigation and prosecution of United States v. Curtis Cummings, et al., has been selected by the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) as the Outstanding Overdose Investigative Effort of the Year. The lead prosecutor, Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Dilges, and lead investigator, Pennington County Sheriff's Office Investigator Patrick Rose, were presented the award by Dan Neill, Executive Director, Midwest HIDTA, Office of National Drug Control Policy, during a ceremony at the Public Safety Building in Rapid City on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

"This was an incredible investigative effort that delivered justice for the victims of this horrible crime and improved public safety by preventing further deaths that would have resulted from the illegal activities of these defendants," said U.S. Attorney Parsons. "I could not be more proud of this law enforcement team and I am so grateful their outstanding efforts have been recognized and honored with this award."

"Midwest HIDTA, in partnership with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), is proud to support our federal, state, local, Tribal, and prosecutorial partners in identifying, disrupting, and dismantling criminal organizations that exploit vulnerable communities. While no investigation can undo the tragic loss of life in this case,

we recognize the dedication and professionalism of the investigators, analysts, prosecutors, and support personnel whose tireless efforts helped bring those responsible to justice," said Executive Director, Midwest HIDTA, Office of Drug Control Policy Dan Neill.

In late April 2022, a young man was found deceased in the driver's seat of his vehicle at a gas station in Rapid City, South Dakota. On the center console of his vehicle were two aluminum foil pieces with remnants of a partially melted blue-green pill. An autopsy indicated the victim died from fentanyl toxicity. The investigation was led by the South Dakota Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), which includes the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, the Rapid City Police Department, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard.

Utilizing a variety of investigative techniques - including digital forensics, surveillance video, social media records, GPS information, and witness interviews - UNET identified four individuals - Curtis Cummings, Katey McGruder, Christina Sanchez, and Wyatt Nygaard - who were involved in the distribution of fentanyl to the victim.

The investigation revealed that Cummings and his wife, McGruder, obtained large amounts of fentanyl from a source of supply in Colorado on a weekly basis. They would then bring the fentanyl back to their home in Rapid City, where it was further distributed by Sanchez and other co-conspirators. On April 26, 2022, Cummings and McGruder provided fentanyl to Sanchez, who provided the fentanyl to Nygaard. Nygaard then provided the fentanyl to the victim, who overdosed and died within minutes of ingesting the fentanyl.

In 2023, Cummings, McGruder, Sanchez, and Nygaard were indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death.

Sanchez, McGruder, and Nygaard each pleaded guilty to Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death. On January 24, 2024, Nygaard was sentenced to 23 years and four months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. On August 9, 2024, Sanchez and McGruder were each sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Cummings was convicted following a jury trial of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death. On January 24, 2025, he was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Comprised of 73 designated counties in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Illinois, the Midwest HIDTA is designed to disrupt the market for illegal drugs throughout the "heartland" of America by identifying, targeting, and dismantling the most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations operating in the Midwest. Its goal is to enhance and facilitate the coordination of regional drug-control efforts among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies-through information and intelligence sharing, cooperative investigations, and joint operations-to reduce drug trafficking and its deadly consequences across the region. The Midwest HIDTA currently supports 61 different initiatives across seven states, including 44 drug task forces, six domestic highway interdiction programs, and five intelligence initiatives.