Rapid City Man Charged with Firearm and Drug Crimes
A 40-year-old Rapid City man has been charged with serious crimes involving firearms and narcotics. Dana Standing Bear was indicted on March 19, 2019, in federal district court for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
The charges relate to Standing Bear knowingly being in possession of two 9mm semi-automatic pistols, as well as methamphetamine in February 2019 at Rapid City. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Standing Bear was detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set, and the penalty upon conviction is a minimum of 5 years up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a minimum of 4 years up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges are merely an accusation, and Standing Bear is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. However, the evidence suggests that drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity, and firearms are commonly used by drug dealers to protect their operations.
This case is a prime example of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals and reducing violent crime in communities across the country. By working together with local law enforcement and communities, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to making our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
The investigation and prosecution of this case are ongoing. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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