RAPID CITY, SD – Cory Debruyckere, 31, of Rapid City, is facing federal charges after being indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The case, brought by U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell, centers around a semi-automatic pistol Debruyckere allegedly possessed in March of 2022, a clear violation of federal law given his criminal history.
According to court documents, Debruyckere has two prior felony convictions, automatically disqualifying him from legally owning a firearm. The ATF, working alongside the Rapid City Police Department, investigated the case, leading to the January 2023 indictment. The specifics of how authorities connected Debruyckere to the weapon haven’t been released, but the charge suggests a direct link establishing his illegal possession.
Debruyckere entered a not guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on January 27, 2023. If convicted, he could face a harsh sentence: up to 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He’ll also be required to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and could be ordered to pay restitution.
This case is being touted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, violence prevention programs, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. Critics, however, often point to PSN as simply a rebranding of older, less effective programs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama is leading the prosecution. Debruyckere was released on bond and is currently preparing for trial, which is scheduled to begin on April 4, 2023. The Grimy Times will be following the proceedings closely. It remains to be seen what evidence prosecutors will present to prove Debruyckere knowingly possessed the firearm despite his prior convictions.
As with all criminal cases, Debruyckere is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not released further details regarding the source of the firearm or any potential connection to other criminal activity. This is a developing story, and the Grimy Times will provide updates as they become available.
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