ABERDEEN, SD – In a stunning turn of events, Kenneth Lee DeMarrias, a 46-year-old man from North Lake Worth Beach, Florida, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on July 14, 2025.
DeMarrias’ dark history includes a chilling episode in May 1998 when he opened fire on three teenaged boys in Kansas City, resulting in two deaths and one requiring surgery for a perforated bowel. After convictions for murder, aggravated assault, and armed criminal action, DeMarrias served 26 years before his release in May 2024.
However, less than two months later, on July 26, 2024, DeMarrias was arrested at the Grand River Casino in rural Wakpala, South Dakota. Found with methamphetamine and a loaded pistol in his wife’s name, he faced federal charges once again. His interest in the firearm was forfeited.
This sentence comes as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, focusing on fostering trust in communities and strategic enforcement priorities.
Investigation into the case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem handling the prosecution. DeMarrias has been remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his conviction.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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