Sisseton Woman Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison in Fentanyl Case

Northeast Radio SD News – Sisseton, SD - A Sisseton woman has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for her role in a 2023 fentanyl overdose death in Aberdeen and for later failing to appear for sentencing, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota.

U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann sentenced 29‑year‑old Laycie Williams on June 1, 2026. Williams received 10 years for Possession With Intent to distribute a Controlled Substance and four years for Failure to appear. The sentences will run consecutively. She will also serve three years of supervised release and must pay $3,968 in restitution and a $200 special assessment.

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Fentanyl Overdose in Aberdeen Led to Charges

According to the DOJ, the drug charge stems from an incident on February 26, 2023, when Williams and the victim were at a residence in Aberdeen. Co‑defendant Carlin Mellette arrived and provided Williams with three pills containing fentanyl. Williams shared the pills with the victim, who ingested half of one pill and suffered a fatal overdose.

Williams and Mellette were indicted in August 2023, and Williams pleaded guilty in October 2024.

Mellette later pleaded guilty to Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death and was sentenced in May 2025 to 25 years in federal prison.

Failure to Appear Added Four Years

After her guilty plea, Williams was released on bond pending sentencing. She failed to appear for her scheduled hearing on May 19, 2025, leading to a separate federal indictment for Failure to Appear. She pleaded guilty to that charge in November 2025.

Federal Authorities Emphasize Dangers of Counterfeit Pills

“This is another tragic demonstration of the deadly and horrific nature of illicit fentanyl,” U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons said in the announcement, noting that the victim ingested only half of a counterfeit pill.

Case Part of Federal Anti‑Drug Initiative

The case falls under Operation Take Back America, a DOJ initiative targeting drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations. Multiple agencies assisted in the investigation, including the FBI Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, Aberdeen Police Department, several county sheriff’s offices, the Gettysburg Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Williams was immediately remanded to federal custody following sentencing.