A former Pine Ridge tribal councilman arrested in New Mexico has pleaded guilty to a drug charge.

Don Garnier and a co-defendant were arrested in September after officers found 21 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of their car. Garnier said he didn't know the pot was there.

The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council suspended him and he later resigned.

According to court documents, Garnier pleaded guilty Friday in Albuquerque, N.M., to possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana.

The maximum punishment is up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. No sentencing date was scheduled.

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