A third man charged in a cocaine distribution ring has pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Vince Lafferty, 34, Pine Ridge, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court. Federal court documents show he admitted traveling to Denver between 2002 and 2006, where he would pick up cocaine for distribution on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Lafferty admitted to personally distributing or transporting about 1.5 kilos of cocaine.

The maximum penalty for the possession charge is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Lafferty will be sentenced Dec. 23.

Two others charged in the case, Donroy Ghost Bear and Shane Tyon, are scheduled for trial Nov. 18. Ghost Bear is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, possession and distribution of cocaine. Tyon is charged with conspiracy, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a Rapid City elementary school.

Two other co-defendants already have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Dale Ecoffey pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 70 months in prison and a $1,000 fine. Jeremy Waters pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to 23 months in prison.

In other U.S. District Court cases:

y Marlin Hawk Wing, 43, Pine Ridge, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Andrew Bogue to 64 months in prison and three years supervised release after pleading guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. According to federal court documents, he admitted to punching a woman in the face, fracturing her eye socket. He was indicted for assault with a dangerous weapon and later pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The victim required surgery.

y Three people have been indicted on charges of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in Rapid City. Ransom Long Pumpkin, 22, Rapid City, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance. Co-defendant Michael Wisely faces the same charges. A third co-defendant, Jodeene Roach, is charged with conspiracy. Ages and residences for Wisely and Roach were not available. According to federal court documents, the alleged conspiracy began last February. The distribution charges relate to incidents on Sept. 10 in Rapid City. Conspiracy carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison with a maximum of 40 years in prison upon conviction. The distribution charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine upon conviction. No trial has been set.

y Matthew Klein, 22, Mission, and Gary Joe Emery, no age or residence listed, have been indicted on charges of third-degree burglary and larceny in connection with a May 2 burglary. Federal court documents show the two are accused of entering the Chute 2 Steakhouse and Saloon in Todd County and stealing computers and computer equipment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of two counts, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. No trial date was set.

y Kaylynn Running Hawk, no age listed, McLaughlin, pleaded not guilty to a charge of larceny. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office, the charge involves events that happened Aug. 13 when Running Hawk allegedly took property valued at more than $1,000. No further information was available. The maximum penalty upon conviction is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Editor's note: The U.S. District Court generally prosecutes felonies committed on reservations, while tribal courts handle misdemeanor crimes. Felonies that happen off the reservation are prosecuted in state/circuit court and are reported separately in the Journal. Some drug and firearms cases are also prosecuted in federal court.