368 Guns Stolen, Trafficked in South Dakota, 93 Arrested, 23-Year Prison Term for Sam Boyd

Grimy Times has learned that South Dakota law enforcement agencies have seized 368 illegal firearms in 2023, a staggering number that highlights the ongoing struggle against gun trafficking in the state. The seizures are the result of a collaborative effort between federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies, who worked tirelessly to target individuals and organizations involved in the illicit trade of firearms.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota, 93 defendants were charged with illegally owning, possessing, using, or obtaining one or more firearms in 2023. The charges include possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and theft of firearms from a federal firearm licensee.

The seizures and arrests are a testament to the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies in South Dakota. “Through these firearm seizures, we are confident law enforcement agencies prevented countless violent and drug-related crimes from occurring in communities across South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is grateful for the strong law enforcement partnerships in South Dakota, which allow us to combine federal, state, and tribal resources to target some of the most dangerous individuals in our state and remove illegal firearms from our streets.”

The seized firearms were obtained through a combination of undercover operations, surveillance, and investigative work by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The agencies involved in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), South Dakota State Highway Patrol, and numerous sheriff’s offices and police departments across the state.

One notable case involves Sam Boyd, who was sentenced to 23 1/3 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. Boyd’s case highlights the devastating consequences of gun trafficking, which can have far-reaching impacts on communities and families.

The investigation into Sam Boyd involved a complex web of conspirators, including a co-conspirator in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Throughout the conspiracy, Boyd routinely possessed multiple firearms and ammunition, despite being prohibited from doing so due to a prior felony conviction. The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, and Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Another case involved Weston Clausen, Jaylen Ducheneaux, and Ford Traversie, who broke into Reloaders Corner, a licensed federal firearm retailer in Isabel in August 2022. The three Defendants stole 105 firearms, ammunition, and other items, which were then illegally trafficked to other individuals. Tragically, one gun was recovered at the scene of a suicide by a 17-year-old teenager. All three Defendants pleaded guilty to Theft of Firearms from a Federal Firearm Licensee and Third-degree Burglary.