Duane Starkey, Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, South Dakota 2023

RAPID CITY, SD – Duane Starkey, 33, of Rapid City is headed to federal prison after being sentenced Friday for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, a clear violation of federal law. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken handed down a sentence of two years and six months, followed by three years of supervised release.

The case against Starkey began to build in August of 2022 when he came into contact with law enforcement and was found to be in possession of a SCCY 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol and Remington 9mm Luger ammunition. The rub? Starkey is a convicted felon, explicitly prohibited from owning either. A federal grand jury indicted him in September of 2022, and he pleaded guilty in March of this year.

Federal prosecutors detailed how Starkey’s criminal history disqualifies him from legally owning a firearm. Despite this, he brazenly possessed both a handgun and ammunition, raising serious concerns about public safety. In addition to the prison sentence and supervised release, Starkey was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund – a paltry sum considering the potential danger his actions posed.

U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell, speaking through a Department of Justice release, framed the prosecution as part of the broader “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative. PSN aims to unite law enforcement at all levels with local communities to tackle violent crime and gun violence. The Department launched a renewed strategy in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, violence prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson handled the prosecution. Starkey was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence. This case serves as a reminder that those with prior convictions who illegally possess firearms will face federal prosecution.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on further developments. The details of Starkey’s prior felony conviction have not been released, but his actions clearly demonstrate a disregard for the law and a threat to the safety of the Rapid City community. The effectiveness of PSN and similar initiatives remains a subject of ongoing debate, but the prosecution of individuals like Starkey is a key component of the strategy.

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