By A type of synthetic marijuana transferred between people on paper has been linked to some of the eight overdose deaths in the state prison system,
It’s that ease of transfer that has it cropping up in South Dakota’s prisons more than on the streets. But Attorney General Marty Jackley said the drug, referred to as K2, has a stronger potency, which means a higher risk for behavior issues and overdose.
Jackley
While in town last week, Jackley met with The Aberdeen Insider to talk about K2. He then announced charges Friday, Dec. 19 connected to his investigation into a third prison overdose. A fourth investigation has concluded, he said, and he expects to announce charges in that case in about a month.
Friday’s announcement involves charges against Natalie B. Krause, 25, of Tea, who worked at the state men’s prison in Sioux Falls as a medical aide, and Cole R. Waters, 26, an inmate serving a 65-year prison sentence for a first-degree manslaughter conviction out of Pennington County.
In general, Jackley said, Krause is accused of taking K2-laced paper into the prison and passing it to Waters. It’s alleged that Waters then gave it to Travis Long Fox, 33, an inmate who died on Nov. 7 from an overdose.
MORE: Murder, manslaughter charges filed against Aberdeen woman after August incident
Krause and Waters each face charges of felony charges of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in a person’s death; aiding, abetting or advising distribution of a controlled substance; and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Each count carries a minimum sentence of a year in prison with a maximum of 25 years.
Both also face a charge of felony distribution of a controlled substance, which carries a minimum sentence of one year with a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Krause faces a single charge of felony possession of an unauthorized article, that being synthetic cannabinoids, with the intent of delivering it to an inmate. It carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
All told, Krause faces up to 95 years in prison. Waters could face double the maximum sentence, or 170 years, if found guilty on all charges. That’s because he has a previous felony on his record.
Krause and Waters join two others who face charges in connection to inmate overdose death investigations. One of those involved an overdose of synthetic cannabinoids and the other involved methamphetamines.
K2 is concerning because of ease of transfer
Jackley said once the K2-laced paper is given to an inmate that person can ingest the drug by smoking the paper, but papers can be easily transferred between inmates, jail personnel or visitors.
He deferred to the secretary of corrections when it comes to detection of the drug within the prison, but said K2 is more prevalent within the prison system because it’s tougher to identify since it’s not in powder or crystal form like methamphetamines, cocaine or heroin.
MORE: Groth enters not guilty pleas to kidnapping, domestic aggravated assault
While K2 has been found outside the prison system, he said, it’s not a drug of choice. The fact that it is easier to conceal makes it more ideal in prison, he said.
Jackley said the use of K2 is leading to increased violence and addiction.
“This is an unnecessary risk that’s happening and it needs to stop,” he said,
