EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is the third in a series exploring the influence of drug cartels in South Dakota, on and off the state’s reservations. A Native American man said Gov. Kristi Noem hindered his ability to receive a fair trial when she displayed a photo of him recently as alleged proof of cartel activity on reservations.
Noem flashed three photos during a May 17 press conference while talking about the Mexican drug cartel activity she said is happening in tribal communities. She did not provide any names with the photos at that press conference, but Noem’s office had previously shared the photo with South Dakota Searchlight. The images were sent to Searchlight in late April when the outlet asked for proof of the governor’s repeated allegations of cartel activity on reservations, and for proof of Noem’s claim that tribal leaders are personally benefiting from a cartel presence on their lands.
Tribal leaders have denied those allegations. Searchlight has independently determined and verified that the most identifiable image — a close-up of a man’s face — is a picture of Charles Cain Merrival, 32, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. ADVERTISEMENT South Dakota Searchlight is not publishing the photo used by Gov.
Noem. The photos in the story were offered by Merrival’s family members. Merrival has been in custody at the Pennington County Jail in Rapid City since January 2022 and for all but a few months since 2020.
He wore an ankle monitor during his relea.
