FLANDREAU, SD (KELO-AM) Two non-Indians busted for helping the Santee Sioux Tribe try to develop a marijuana resort near Flandreau, South Dakota, have made their pleas in court.
As expected, Jonathan Hunt has pleaded guilty to one count of drug conspiracy and Eric Hagen has pleaded not guilty to three drug-related counts. Both men are associated with Colorado-based Monarch America, basically a legal pot company. Recreational marijuana use is legal in Colorado.
Investigators say they found that Hagen and Hunt bought marijuana seeds from the Netherlands and brought them to South Dakota packed in CD cases and sewn into T-shirts.
State and local law enforcement officials have said that they are not going after the Santee Sioux Tribe itself, but these charges should be a warning to tribal leaders to watch themselves moving forward. Tribal leaders have never said that they have completely given up on the idea of a pot resort.
The tribe destroyed its marjuana crop after hearing reports of a possible federal raid. The plan was to make millions selling legal pot at a smoking lounge on the reservation. State Attorney General Marty Jackley warned from the beginning that non-Indians could not legally participate.
The Santee Sioux were trying to become the first Indian tribe in America with a legal marijuana operation.
