WINNER, (KCCR) — A Fort Pierre man charged as part of a statewide sting of smoke shops has reached a plea deal with the South Dakota Attorney General’s office. Bristol Nielsen, appearing with attorney Rob Conrad from the Tripp County Courthouse in Winner, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession, Sale or Distribution of a Substance for Becoming Intoxicated. The change of plea hearing was held in Winner, but a closed circuity T-V feed connected court service officers in Hughes County to the proceeding. In establishing a factual basis for his plea, Assistant Attorney General Jessica LaMie says a client of Nielsen’s brought a peyote plant to his store. The plants were at the store in Pierre, but Nielsen proceeded to bring the peyote plants to his Fort Pierre home. Nielsen admitted to Sixth Circuit Judge Bobbi Rank that he knew having the plant was illegal. Rank withheld a finding of guilt on the felony charge as Nielsen is seeking a deferred imposition of sentence. She accepted the guilty plea on the misdemeanor intoxication charge. Nielsen was ordered to not operate a business where T-H-C products are sold. He could face up to five years in prison. Sentencing is set for April 21st.
Comments