Prison Sentences Handed to Julia Pewo and Coye Nohava for Meth Case

Julia Pewo and Coye Nohava were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, Mitchell Now reported.

Pewo, 63, received a 15-year prison term, while 42-year-old Nohava was sentenced to 14 years. Both individuals, residents of Sioux Falls, were convicted of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, according to a federal sentencing release.

The sentences follow a three-day jury trial that concluded on August 13, 2026. A federal grand jury had previously indicted both Pewo and Nohava in July 2025.

Prosecutors detailed a distribution network that stretched from Arizona to South Dakota. According to information provided by Mitchell Now, the operation was led by Matthew Shade, who worked with partners in Arizona to source methamphetamine.

Prison Sentences Handed to Julia Pewo and Coye Nohava for Meth Case — Photo: dakotanewsnow.com

Shade’s organization moved the drugs into South Dakota using both mail and vehicles. Once the substances arrived, Pewo and Nohava acted as sub-distributors, obtaining drugs from co-conspirators supplied by Shade and selling them to others.

The scale of the individual involvement varied based on the quantity of drugs linked to each defendant. Dakota News Now reported the specific breakdown of the methamphetamine quantities for which each was held responsible.

Defendant	Prison Sentence
Julia Pewo	15 years
Coye Nohava	14 years

Pewo was held responsible for approximately 13 pounds of methamphetamine. Nohava was held responsible for approximately 4 pounds.

The legal proceedings against Nohava included additional complications regarding his testimony. Prosecutors stated that Nohava received an obstruction finding after committing perjury while testifying in his own defense during the trial, as reported by Dakota News Now.

The court also imposed specific post-prison requirements. Pewo will serve five years of supervised release following her sentence, while Nohava will serve eight years of supervised release. Both defendants must also pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The timing of their incarceration differs. Nohava was taken into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service immediately following the sentencing. Pewo is required to surrender to authorities by noon on Friday, Nov. 13, according to Mitchell Now.

The investigation was a multi-agency effort involving federal postal investigators, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges handled the prosecution of the case.