Felon Caught with Shotgun

Felon Caught with Shotgun

Nicholas Michael Snowden, a 37-year-old Sioux Falls man, has been sentenced to 1 month in custody and 1 month of home confinement for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, a search warrant was executed at Snowden’s Sioux Falls residence on November 5, 2014, where a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition were found. Snowden, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Snowden was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon by a federal grand jury on May 5, 2015. He pled guilty to the offense on July 17, 2015. In addition to his sentence, Snowden was ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga prosecuted the case, resulting in Snowden’s guilty plea.

U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier handed down Snowden’s sentence on January 11, 2016. He was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.

Snowden’s sentence serves as a reminder of the consequences of violating federal firearms laws. As a convicted felon, Snowden knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm, yet he chose to disregard the law and put himself and others at risk.

The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protecting our communities and upholding the law.

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