Raymond Man Sentenced to Prison Following Downtown Watertown Drug Sting

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - A 31-year-old Raymond man has been sentenced to eight years in the state penitentiary following a cocaine distribution investigation in downtown Watertown.

Dalton Eric Duane Dampier appeared in Codington County Circuit Court on February 25, 2026, for sentencing on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony).

The Sentence 

Judge Elshere ordered Dampier to serve eight years in the state penitentiary, with four years suspended on the condition of good behavior. Dampier received 144 days of credit for time already served in the Codington County Jail.

As part of the judgment, Dampier was ordered to pay:

·         $1,100.00 in Drug Control Fees to the Attorney General.

·         $116.50 in court costs and state fines.

The court ordered this sentence to run concurrently with any other existing files Dampier may have with the Department of Corrections.

The Plea Agreement Dampier originally faced a multi-count indictment, including possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and resisting arrest. Under the terms of the agreement reached with the Codington County State’s Attorney’s Office, the state dismissed:

·         Count I: Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute.

·         Count III: Distribution of a Controlled Substance.

·         Count IV: Resisting Arrest.

·         Part II Information: A habitual offender filing citing his prior felony convictions.

·         A separate distribution charge filed in January 2026.

Case Background

 The charges stemmed from an October 3, 2025, arrest where Watertown Police detectives caught Dampier in possession of approximately 22 grams of cocaine following weeks of surveillance. Court documents noted Dampier’s extensive prior record, which includes a conviction for first-degree robbery, as well as an active warrant out of North Dakota.

Court-appointed attorney Amanda M. Thole represented Dampier, while State’s Attorney Alison Bakken represented the state.