Evan Brown Bull, Ammunition Possession, South Dakota 2024

RAPID CITY, SD – Evan Brown Bull, 38, of Kyle, South Dakota, is headed to federal prison after a jury convicted him of illegally possessing ammunition. U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier handed down a sentence of two years and nine months on March 27, 2024, along with a $100 assessment for the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The case underscores the continued federal crackdown on prohibited persons possessing firearms components.

The bust originated with a routine traffic stop in March of 2022, conducted by the Rapid City Police Department. A search revealed Brown Bull was carrying a significant cache of ammunition, including 11 rounds of Black Hills Ammunition .380 AUTO, 49 rounds of Blazer 9x19mm Luger, and another 49 rounds of PMC .38 Special. The problem? Brown Bull is a convicted felon, legally barred from possessing any ammunition whatsoever.

The two-day jury trial, held in federal district court in Rapid City during January 2024, clearly established Brown Bull’s prior conviction and the illegal nature of the ammunition found during the traffic stop. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth successfully prosecuted the case, presenting evidence that left no doubt of Brown Bull’s guilt. The defense mounted no substantial challenge, according to sources within the courtroom.

U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell, speaking through a Department of Justice press release, touted the case as a victory for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN, a federally funded initiative, aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by coordinating efforts between law enforcement and communities. Critics, however, often point to PSN as a largely symbolic effort that fails to address the root causes of crime.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department. The ATF, increasingly focused on tracing illegal firearms and ammunition, played a crucial role in building the case against Brown Bull. The agency has been under intense scrutiny in recent years, facing accusations of overreach and questionable tactics.

Following the sentencing, Evan Brown Bull was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service. He will serve his sentence in a yet-to-be-determined federal facility. This case serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor offenses involving ammunition can carry significant federal penalties for those with a criminal history, and that law enforcement continues to focus on keeping weapons out of the hands of convicted felons.

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