MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Julia Pewo, 63, and Coye Nohava, 42, both of Sioux Falls, were sentenced Nov. 2, 2026, to 15 years and 14 years in federal prison, respectively, for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced the sentences imposed by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier, according to the supplied federal sentencing release.
Pewo’s prison term will be followed by five years of supervised release. Nohava will serve eight years of supervised release. Both must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
A federal grand jury indicted Pewo and Nohava in July 2025. They were convicted following a three-day jury trial that ended Aug. 13, 2026.
According to prosecutors, both were distributors in a methamphetamine trafficking operation led by Matthew Shade in South Dakota. Shade worked with others in Arizona to obtain methamphetamine and transport it to South Dakota by mail or vehicle.
Pewo and Nohava obtained drugs from co-conspirators supplied by Shade and distributed them to others. Pewo was held responsible for approximately 13 pounds of methamphetamine, while Nohava was held responsible for 4 pounds.
Nohava also received an obstruction finding for committing perjury while testifying in his defense.
Pewo must surrender by noon Friday, Nov. 13. Nohava was immediately taken into U.S. Marshals Service custody.
Federal postal investigators, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.