PIERRE, S.D. - Two North Dakota men have been sentenced to federal prison for robbing Black Hills Federal Credit Union, U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced.
Jason Cook, age 40, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $99.91 in restitution, to be paid joint and several with DeMarce, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Conrad DeMarce, age 38, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $99.91 in restitution, to be paid joint and several with Cook, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Cook and DeMarce were indicted for credit union robbery by a federal grand jury in April 2025. They pleaded guilty on June 12, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota stated.
The convictions stemmed from Cook and DeMarce traveling to Eagle Butte, S.D., on April 8, 2025, where they entered the Black Hills Federal Credit Union dressed in black with their faces covered. They were armed with BB gun pistols that appeared to be real firearms. Cook and DeMarce pointed the pistols at four employees and a customer.
Using the pistols to threaten and intimidate the employees, the men demanded money and fled in a vehicle driven by Cook after forcing the employees and a customer into a bathroom and breaking the customer’s phone, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.
Cook and DeMarce engaged Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services Officers in a high-speed pursuit, reaching speeds of over 115 miles per hour. The men were arrested after their vehicle ran out of gas. Inside the vehicle, law enforcement located cash stolen from the credit union, clothing worn during the robbery, and the BB gun pistols used during the robbery.