BROOKINGS A Brookings man was sentenced to 15 years in the state penitentiary Wednesday after pleading guilty to selling cocaine.
Oscar Marenco, 33, pleaded guilty to four counts related to distribution of schedule I or II controlled substance and was sentenced by circuit court judge Abigail Howard.
According to a statement from Brookings County States Attorney Dan Nelson, the prosecution was the result of a state investigation and grand jury indictment.
DCI began a multi-month investigation into Oscar Marenco beginning in fall of last year. Information gathered during the investigation indicated that Mr. Marenco was distributing cocaine within city of Brookings. Acting on that information, special agents observed through surveillance Mr. Marenco conduct cocaine sales to individuals within various drug-free zones here in Brookings. A Brookings County grand jury returned an indictment charging him in a six-count indictment. Mr. Morenco entered guilty pleas to four felonies with the maximum penalty of 40 years, Nelson said.
With some sentences set by Howard to run consecutively and some concurrently, the upshot was 15 years pen time for Marenco.
The outcome today of 15 years in prison for this conduct should send a message to every person thinking of dealing drugs in Brookings County that law enforcement will find you and you will be sent to prison,” Nelson said. “Unfortunately, felony drugs continue to be the driving force behind most crime in South Dakota, but todays sentencing is a step forward in ensuring Brookings remains safe.
The possible sentences were enhanced in the case because the sales occurred near drug-free zones in this case, the Pizza Ranch video arcade and Pioneer Park.
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