OMAHA, NE – James L. Bennett, Jr., 56, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced Wednesday in Federal Court to 46 months’ imprisonment for possessing with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and 60 months’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. That’s according to the United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska.
The sentences were ordered to run consecutive for a total sentence of 106 months in the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system. Bennett was also sentenced to a five-year term of supervised release to be served after he completes his prison sentence. Bennett pleaded guilty to the offenses on June 21, 2023.
On August 31, 2022, Omaha police officers and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives served a search warrant on Bennett’s home. There, they recovered more than 30 grams of crack cocaine and several firearms, including a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun found inside a leather coat with a “Los Diablos” motorcycle club patch.
The investigation was conducted by the Omaha Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assisted with an examination of the firearm. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
PIERRE, SD – Flags across the state have been ordered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, September 23rd in South Dakota by Governor Kristi Noem in honor of former state Representative Barry M. Jensen of White River.
Jensen represented Mellette County and District 26 in the House from 2001 to 2002 and 2005 to 2006. He served on the House Judiciary Committee among other House committees. Jensen was civic-minded, serving as a Mellette County Commissioner and on the White River School Board of Education. He was also appointed by former Governor Dennis Daugaard to serve on the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.
Jensen passed away Sunday in Rapid City.
A celebration of life is planned for one-pm on Saturday September 23rd at the Community Events Center in White River. Burial will follow at the White River Cemetery. Arrangements are through the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
STURGIS, SD – The man involved in a shoot-out with law enforcement during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally entered not guilty pleas to all the charges against him Wednesday.
Wyatt J. Fluty is facing six counts in relation to the incident that happened near on August 9. No law enforcement or private citizens were hurt in the shooting, although Fluty was shot by law enforcement.
He appeared in Seventh Circuit Court in a wheelchair Wednesday in front of Judge John Fitzgerald.
Fluty is charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder, one involving a state trooper and the other a private citizen. He also faces commission of a felony with a firearm, attempted grand theft, unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance and illegally being in possession of a firearm with a prior felony.
The attempted first degree murder charge involving the state trooper carries a 50-year prison sentence.
Fluty will have a status hearing on November first at 1:15 p.m. He remains in the Meade County Jail with no bond.
PARMELEE, SD – One person died Tuesday afternoon in a two vehicle crash 5 miles north of Parmelee, S.D.
The names of the persons involved have not been released pending notification of family members.
Preliminary crash information indicates a 1999 Freightliner FLD120 semi with trailer was traveling west on 277th Street near its intersection with S.D. Highway 63. The driver stopped at the intersection and then turned south on S.D. 63. A 1993 Peterbilt Conventional semi with trailer was traveling north on S.D. 63 and struck the Freightliner’s trailer which caused the Freightliner and trailer to rollover.
The 82-year-old male driver of the Freightliner was not injured.
He was wearing a seatbelt.
The 51-year-old male driver of the Peterbilt sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
He was not wearing a seatbelt.
South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary.
The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
