Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearm Possession

A 21-year-old Rapid City man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for possessing a firearm despite being prohibited from doing so, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Mason Means was sentenced on March 30, 2020, to 2 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, after being convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

The conviction stems from Means’ unlawful possession of a Glock, model 17, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which was found after he led law enforcement on a high-speed vehicle pursuit following an attempted traffic stop in Rapid City in June 2019.

Means, a previously convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case. Means was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced the sentencing, stating that the case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Attorney General’s initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. The program aims to enhance coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes, as well as improve information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The case highlights the importance of community partnerships in reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

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