Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
Two women from different states have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota announced that Catherine Hamilton, 55, of Mitchell, South Dakota, and Christine Hughes, 66, of North Jackson, Ohio, received prison sentences after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Catherine Hamilton was sentenced on April 7, 2025, to 57 months in federal prison. She will also serve three years of supervised release and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Christine Hughes was sentenced on August 25, 2025. She received a sentence of 37 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and is also required to pay a $100 special assessment.
Both women were indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024. Hamilton entered her guilty plea on January 27, 2025; Hughes pleaded guilty on May 27, 2025.
According to court documents, Hamilton received multiple packages containing methamphetamine from Hughes through the United States Postal Service. Hamilton then distributed the drugs within South Dakota.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Mitchell Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Joyce prosecuted the case.
Following sentencing, both defendants were remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
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