SIOUX FALLS, SD – Robert Wolfe Jr., a 45-year-old Sisseton resident with a history, is trading the South Dakota plains for a federal cell after a raid on his home uncovered an illegal firearm. Wolfe received a 30-month sentence from Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange on Wednesday, March 13, 2026, a penalty stemming from his status as a convicted felon possessing a Remington bolt-action rifle.
The bust originated with a raid conducted by Roberts County deputies in April 2024. Acting on a tip – details of which remain sealed – deputies executed a search warrant at Wolfe’s Sisseton residence. The search quickly turned up the rifle, immediately flagging Wolfe as a prohibited person due to a prior felony conviction. While the specific details of the 2014 drug conviction are scarce, South Dakota court records confirm a guilty plea to possession of a controlled substance, automatically disqualifying him from legally owning firearms under federal law.
Wolfe initially pleaded not guilty, forcing the case before a federal grand jury which returned an indictment in 2025. He eventually changed his plea in November 2026, admitting to the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. This isn’t a simple paperwork violation; federal law, specifically 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), makes it a felony for anyone convicted of a felony to possess a firearm. The penalty can range from a minimum of five years in prison, though prosecutors often seek lesser sentences depending on the severity of the prior offense and the defendant’s criminal history.
The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Joyce, argued for a sentence that would deter others from illegally possessing firearms. Joyce highlighted Wolfe’s prior conviction and the potential danger posed by an armed felon within the community. While defense attorneys likely argued for leniency, citing potential rehabilitation, Judge Lange clearly sided with the prosecution, imposing the full 2.5-year sentence. Beyond prison time, Wolfe faces three years of supervised release upon his eventual release, and will be subject to strict conditions, including regular drug testing and potential searches of his person and property.
This case wasn’t a solo effort. The Roberts County Sheriff’s Office partnered with federal agencies – the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the FBI – to build the case against Wolfe. U.S. Marshals immediately took Wolfe into federal custody following the sentencing, transferring him to a yet-to-be-disclosed federal correctional facility. The Remington rifle, the centerpiece of the prosecution, has been forfeited to the government and will likely be destroyed.
Federal officials are framing the Wolfe case within the broader context of “Operation Take Back America,” a multi-agency initiative aimed at curbing violent crime and dismantling criminal organizations. This operation leverages resources from existing programs like the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), focusing on major drug trafficking operations, and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which concentrates on reducing gun violence in specific communities. While the connection between Wolfe and larger criminal enterprises remains unclear, the feds are using his conviction as a talking point to demonstrate their commitment to removing illegal firearms from the streets.
Beyond the prison sentence, Wolfe is also responsible for a $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, a program designed to provide financial assistance to victims of federal crimes. This small financial penalty offers little solace to those impacted by crime, but it’s a standard component of federal sentencing.
The case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly minor firearm violations can carry significant consequences, particularly for individuals with prior criminal records. For Wolfe, a single rifle has cost him years of his life and a permanent mark on his record. The feds, meanwhile, claim another win in their ongoing battle against violent crime.
Related Federal Cases
- Ex-Con Back Behind Bars: Rifle Lands SD Man 2.5 Years · South Dakota
- Felon’s Rifle Lands Him 2.5 Years in Federal Lockup · South Dakota
- SD Felon’s Rifle Lands Him 2.5 Years · South Dakota
- South Dakota Felon’s Rifle Lands Him 2.5 Years Inside · South Dakota
- Firearm by Prohibited Person Lands Eagle Butte Man 16 Months · South Dakota
- Category: Weapons
- Source: U.S. Department of Justice
- Keywords: firearms, felony, South Dakota
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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