Woman Sentenced In Heroin/Fentanyl Overdose Case

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A historic case played out in South Dakota’s federal court system Friday.

A young woman received the first 20-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for distribution of heroin or fentanyl resulting in death or serious bodily injury.

21-year-old Shania Hofer plead guilty to providing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to Ty Olson who overdosed last April.

Olson was revived by Narcan after his roommate found him unconscious. Olson told the court he had purchased heroin 100 times for Hofer.

Everyone in the courtroom agreed that this case was a horrible tragedy for all involved.

Hofer went from marijuana as a young teen to pills to heroin.

Hofer tearfully told the judge in court that “being addicted to heroin, I did things I never thought I would do. The worst part was wanting to quit and not being able to.”  Hofer also told the judge she was grateful to be alive and has had so many friends die. 

Judge Karen Schreier told Hofer that she was impressed she was the first person in her family to graduate from college and had clearly defined goals.

Hofer told the court she had started smoking marijuana and drinking at age 13 or 14 and was heavily influenced by others

Judge Schreier said that with every drug case that comes before her, it started with marijuana at a young age.

Hofer’s 11-year-old sister testified on her behalf, asking the judge to have mercy on her.

Schreier was required to give Hofer the minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years.

But under a new federal prison reform law, just passed in December, called First Step, Hofer could get out sooner upon successful completion of treatment for her addiction.

Hofer’s mother tells KELOLAND News that eight of her daughter’s friends have died since Hofer has been locked up.

Hofer, who has been in and out of treatment several times, nearly died of an overdose last February, but was revived in Wendy’s restaurant.

Hofer is also expected to plead guilty to burglary charges with the state for breaking into a senior living apartment to steal money to feed her heroin habit.