⏱ 2 min read
Cecle Crist, a 53-year-old Hot Springs, South Dakota, man, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for possessing firearms as a felon. On November 2025, officers from the Fall River County Sheriff’s Office and the Hot Springs Police Department attempted to arrest Crist on a federal arrest warrant. When they entered his camper, Crist hid in a closet, threatened to kill law enforcement, and claimed to have a gun. This incident led to his indictment for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
Crist pleaded guilty on March 9, 2026, and was sentenced on June 22, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler. He will also serve 3 years of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to combat violent crime and protect communities.
The arrest and sentencing of Crist demonstrate the efforts of law enforcement agencies to prevent felons from possessing firearms and to protect the public from potential harm. The Rapid City Special Response Team (SRT) was called in to assist with the arrest, and they used OC powder to subdue Crist before taking him into custody.
Crist’s sentence serves as a warning to others who would attempt to possess firearms as felons. The US Department of Justice and local law enforcement agencies are committed to enforcing firearms laws and keeping communities safe.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Weapons
- Defendant: South Dakota
- Location: SD
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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