Rushmore State News

A man from Reliance, South Dakota, has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in the Pierre area. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte handed down the sentence to Heath Choal, 51, on September 15, 2025.

In addition to the prison term, Choal will serve three years of supervised release and must pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Choal was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024 and pleaded guilty on June 2, 2025. The conviction is connected to a drug conspiracy that began in June 2023 and continued until September 2024. Authorities said Choal obtained methamphetamine from Misty and Heather Stahlhoefer, who supplied several individuals in the Pierre area.

According to investigators, Misty and Heather Stahlhoefer would acquire up to one pound of methamphetamine per trip for further distribution by themselves and others including Choal, Whitney Marrowbone, Wendy Mealer, Brent Larvie, and David Rinehart. The operation involved between 30 and 35 pounds of methamphetamine.

Several co-defendants have already been sentenced:

- Misty Stahlhoefer: 21 years

- Heather Stahlhoefer: 18 years

- Whitney Marrowbone: 11 years

- Wendy Mealer: six years

- Brent Larvie: four years and six months

- David Rinehart: two years

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force along with local law enforcement agencies including the Pierre Police Department, Chamberlain Police Department, and Lyman County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

“United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a man from Reliance, South Dakota, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance," according to the announcement.

Choal was immediately remanded into custody following sentencing.