Lower Brule man admits to trying to sell Valium

LOWER BRULE — A Lower Brule man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to possession with intent to distribute Valium.

Russell Thigh, 38, was arrested in 2010 in a sting operation by the Fort Thompson Police Department. Thigh met police in the parking lot of the Lode Star Casino while in possession of 77 Valium pills.

The sting was performed after Thigh mistakenly called a wrong cell phone number and tried to sell Valium to the unknown woman who answered, who then reported the incident to Fort Thompson police.

Thigh faces a maximum of five years in custody and a $250,000 fine.

The investigation was conducted by the Fort Thompson Police Department and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing was set for July. Thigh was released on bond.

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