Stolen Heat Lands Rapid City Man Behind Bars

RAPID CITY, SD – Vance Hayes, 34, of Rapid City, is facing a lengthy stretch in federal prison after being sentenced on May 17, 2024, for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier handed down a sentence of three years and five months, followed by three years of supervised release. Hayes will also be required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The case originated with a routine traffic stop in March of 2023. Rapid City Police Department officers discovered Hayes was not only driving with a suspended license, but also in possession of a firearm that had been reported stolen. The real kicker? Hayes was already a convicted felon – and, adding insult to injury, actively on federal supervised release at the time. He knew full well he wasn’t supposed to have a gun.

A federal grand jury indicted Hayes in May of 2023, and he ultimately pleaded guilty on March 11, 2024. The evidence painted a clear picture: a repeat offender disregarding the law, and putting more danger onto the streets of Rapid City. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined the Rapid City PD in the investigation, building a solid case against Hayes.

U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell emphasized that this prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention programs, and strategically targeting enforcement efforts. This isn’t just about one gun, it’s about a broader push to reclaim neighborhoods from those who prey on them.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth successfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a substantial sentence. Hayes was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing hearing. Sources within the Marshals Service confirmed Hayes will be transferred to a federal facility in the coming days.

This case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while being a prohibited person carries serious consequences. For Hayes, those consequences mean over three years of his life spent behind bars – and a criminal record that will continue to haunt him long after his release. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this and other cases impacting the safety of communities across the nation.