Army Black Hawk pilot sold LSD for religious purposes

Army 1st Lieutenant Kyle Norton Riester was indicted by a grand jury on allegations of distributing LSD. Riester’s lawyers argued that the former did this for religious purposes. His attorneys also argued that Riester viewed LSD as a sacrament that allowed him to communicate with God. This sacrament was “necessary” for Riester’s spiritual growth. Unfortunately for Riester and his lawyers, the federal judge rejected the argument and allowed the indictment process to continue.

From the Military Times:

Riester’s commanding officer ordered him to cooperate with the federal government shortly after the August 2024 raid on his apartment, Lake said. At that point, he was coerced by law enforcement into gathering information on dark web dealers’ attempts to sell fake oxycodone pills made with fentanyl, Lake claimed.

Riester’s dark web account had credits showing it was used to sell LSD, Lake said, which law enforcement may have felt gave him credibility as he attempted to gather information on fentanyl dealers. Lake said Riester did not participate in sting operations on those dealers but pried for information on their manufacturing and distribution protocols and suppliers.

“This wasn’t something natural with him,” Lake said of Riester’s attempts to contact fentanyl dealers on the dark web on behalf of the government. “Mr. Riester was actually part of dark web forums that were full of spiritual seekers using [psychedelic substances] for religious, spiritual purposes, and trying to do so safely. That’s the community he was part of. All this other [stuff] was forced upon him.”

Lake said Riester cooperated with law enforcement for several months in late 2024 but the operation yielded only “perfunctory information.”

If Riester is convicted of LSD distribution, he could be forced to forfeit property involved in the commission of the alleged crime, including cryptocurrency, a rifle, a shotgun, two pistols, magazines and ammunition, among other penalties, according to the indictment.

Additional Reading:

Losey, S. (2025, April 30). Army pilot claims he distributed LSD for religious reasons. Military Times. Link.

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