Multiple Felony and Warrant Arrests

On the afternoon of December 12th, rangers made contact with the occupants of a 1973 Dodge van that was parked illegally in a restricted parking area behind the Xanterra concession building. This contact eventually resulted in the arrest of three people from out of state and the transfer of two children to the custody of South Dakota Social Services personnel. A 34-year-old man, reportedly the father of the two children, was arrested on a felony warrant out of California and will be extradited. The man, who was 6?2? in height and weighed 305 pounds (as verified by a hospital scale), actively resisted arrest, was subdued through the use of a taser, and was subsequently charged with resisting arrest and interfering with agency function. He has an extensive prior criminal history. The man?s 32-year-old brother was arrested for possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; he also has a long criminal history and is the subject of a felony warrant from California. The U.S. Attorney?s Office is currently discussing extradition with California authorities. A 32-year-old woman, the wife of the first man and the mother of the two children, was arrested on multiple charges, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a loaded firearm (a Smith and Wesson .38 model 36), trespassing, and no proof of vehicle insurance. She, too, has a past criminal history.  The two children are sisters, ages five and six. Following the arrests of all of the adults in the party, the children were transferred to the custody of Social Services. Field testing of the drugs and drug residue was positive for both marijuana and amphetamines. Discovered during the search of the vehicle were a handwritten recipe for the manufacture of methamphetamines, some of the ingredients for manufacturing methamphetamines, approximately 10 drug pipes, other drug paraphernalia,  two apparently counterfeit five dollar bills, a variety of knives, a spiked ball and chain weapon, and a homemade, hooked, machete-like weapon. Initial court appearances for the three adults were set for yesterday. Rangers are working closely with the US Attorney?s Office in the investigation and prosecution of the charges.