Los Angeles Man Sentenced to More Than 23 Years for Role in Multistate Drug Trafficking Operation

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - A Los Angeles man has been sentenced to more than 23 years in federal prison for his role in a multistate drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in South Dakota.

Dejuan Croom, 43, was sentenced on April 6 by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier to 23 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

According to federal prosecutors, Croom was involved in a California- and Nevada-based drug trafficking organization that transported large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl into South Dakota, primarily distributing the drugs in the Sioux Falls area.

Court records show that between late 2023 and September 2024, members of the organization shipped drugs through the U.S. mail and used rental vehicles equipped with hidden compartments to transport narcotics from California to South Dakota. The group initially used local hotels as bases for distribution before moving operations to short-term rental properties.

Prosecutors said Croom played a managerial role in the operation under the direction of the organization’s leader, Quantiae Harris. His responsibilities included driving drug-laden vehicles from California to Sioux Falls, assisting with sales to local distributors, and depositing large sums of drug proceeds into Harris’ bank accounts.

A federal grand jury indicted Croom in October 2024 on charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He pleaded guilty to the charges on January 12, 2026.

Multiple agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, the Sioux Falls Police Department, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol, investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Joyce handled the prosecution.

Following sentencing, Croom was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Federal officials said the case is part of a broader Homeland Security Task Force initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and related crimes.