37-Year-Old Aberdeen Man Sentenced for Firearm Possession

Grasping the gritty essence of justice, Brent Wayne Vostad, a 37-year-old resident of Aberdeen, South Dakota, has been meted out a severe sentence by the federal judiciary. On November 29, 2021, before Judge Charles B. Kornmann in U.S. District Court, Vostad was sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

This harsh penalty follows Vostad’s guilty plea on August 18, 2021, after he was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 13, 2021. The severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of his crime, which has left the community more secure.

The conviction for Vostad stems from an incident that unfolded on February 27, 2021, in Aberdeen. It was during a routine traffic stop by the Aberdeen Police Department where officers discovered he was carrying not only a loaded handgun but also methamphetamine, small plastic baggies, and a scale. All of these items were recovered from Vostad’s person and vehicle.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a robust initiative under the Department of Justice aimed at reducing violent crime through evidence-based programs. PSN brings together a wide array of stakeholders to combat community violence, focusing enforcement efforts on violent offenders while partnering with local prevention and reentry programs to ensure long-term reductions in criminal activity.

The investigation leading to Vostad’s conviction was a collaborative effort by the Aberdeen Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook handled the prosecution of this case with diligence and professionalism.

With his sentence carried out, Vostad is now remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, ensuring he serves his time and cannot pose a threat to public safety.