Fargo Former Bison Football Player Sentenced to Five Years for Drug Trafficking
FARGO — Colter Pritchard, a former walk-on for the North Dakota State Bison football team, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison following his guilty plea to drug trafficking charges. Pritchard, 30, was apprehended on February 14, 2024, on Interstate 29 south of Fargo, where authorities discovered over 5 kilograms (10 pounds) of cocaine and a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun in his vehicle.
Pritchard’s arrest was a culmination of multiple trips he had undertaken over the past year, contributing to a significant drug operation that involved more than $500,000 worth of cocaine entering the Fargo community. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Kopp, Pritchard’s background was atypical for someone involved in drug trafficking; he grew up in a supportive family, played Division I football, and earned a degree. However, Kopp noted that Pritchard was overwhelmed by addiction and financial pressures, which led him to become a middleman in drug deals between Arizona and North Dakota.
Pritchard’s attorney highlighted the dangers of the drug trade, revealing that Pritchard had been threatened during his involvement in the operation. He carried the handgun as a means of self-protection during a tumultuous period that left him contemplating suicide.
In a heartfelt court statement, Pritchard expressed gratitude to his mother and emphasized his desire to give back to her. Chief Judge Peter Welte sentenced him to the Bureau of Prisons, designating a facility close to his hometown, and he will face three years of supervised release upon completing his term.
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