Ahmed Belhage, Illegal Possession of Semi-Automatic Rifle, South Dakota 2023

RAPID CITY, SD – A convicted felon is off the streets and headed to federal prison after a five-year sentence was handed down last week for illegally possessing a semi-automatic rifle. Ahmed Belhage, 27, of Rapid City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on November 28th, following a guilty plea entered in August.

The case originated in April when Belhage came to the attention of law enforcement. A search revealed he was in possession of a Savage Arms semi-automatic rifle – a firearm he had no legal right to own given his prior felony conviction. Federal law strictly prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms, a rule Belhage blatantly disregarded.

U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell’s office prosecuted the case, highlighting the ongoing commitment to disarming individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson led the prosecution. The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department.

Belhage was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing. In addition to the five-year prison term, he will serve three years of supervised release upon his eventual release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund – a small restitution for the potential harm his actions could have caused.

Federal officials framed the case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence across the nation. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN program in 2021, emphasizing community trust, preventative measures, and strategic enforcement.

This sentencing serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while prohibited by federal law carries significant consequences. While the ATF and local police secured the conviction, the five-year sentence sends a message that such violations will not be tolerated in South Dakota, and that those who attempt to circumvent the law will face the full weight of federal prosecution.

Related Federal Cases