Brookings resident gets 15 years for selling meth

BROOKINGS A Brookings man was sentenced to 15 years in the state penitentiary Wednesday for selling methamphetamine.

Dustin Strom, 46, plead guilty to four counts in June: Two of selling meth and two of doing so near a drug-free zone and was sentenced this week by Judge Abigail Howard.

The conviction and sentence stem from a Brookings Police Department investigation which began in July 2024. According to court documents, Strom sold meth to a confidential informant at the gas station in the 200 block of Main Avenue South, which is within 1,000 feet of Southside Park. The document also details sales in the 900 block of 20^th Street South within 1,000 feet of Fishback Soccer Complex and in the 1000 block of 22^nd Avenue South within 1,000 feet of the Peace Lutheran Childhood Education facility.

Based on those sales, Brookings police obtained a search warrant for Stroms vehicle and residence. They stopped him Sept. 26 and found approximately eight grams of meth.

Strom ultimately pleaded guilty to four counts, and the two pairs of charges received 6 and 18 year sentences, respectively, with the latter having three years suspended. When the two pairs are run concurrently, the upshot is 15 years.

Brookings County States Attorney Dan Nelson said in a statement that his office will continue to prosecute hard drug offenses with vigor.

“Our office along with law enforcement works closely to ensure every drug dealer in our county is found and prosecuted. Mr. Storm’s case is the latest example of our efforts to keep Brookings County safe and free from illegal drug, Nelson said.

I think this sentence sends a strong message to any member of our community thinking of engaging in this conduct and will hopefully deter them from doing so.”

Strom was credited with 123 days served in the Brookings County Detention Center while his case played out and was remanded to the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office for transport to the State Penitientiary in Sioux Falls.

Linehan is the Registers managing editor and welcomes tips and comments at [email protected].