Joseph Elsey, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, South Dakota 2022

EAGLE BUTTE, SD – Joseph Elsey, 34, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, is headed to federal prison after admitting he shouldn’t have had a gun in the first place. Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange sentenced Elsey to 18 months behind bars on November 21, 2022, followed by three years of supervised release. The case highlights the ongoing effort to keep firearms out of the hands of those already deemed a danger to the public.

The bust went down on July 11, 2021, when officers with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services pulled over Elsey in Eagle Butte. A search of his vehicle turned up a revolver, along with methamphetamine and the paraphernalia used to cook and smoke it. Elsey copped to owning the pistol, a confession that quickly unraveled his legal standing.

Federal prosecutors didn’t need to look far to build their case. Elsey’s 2016 conviction for aggravated assault automatically disqualified him from possessing firearms under federal law. But that wasn’t all. Investigators also determined Elsey was a habitual user of methamphetamine, another disqualifying factor. The combination of a violent past and current drug use painted a clear picture of someone unfit to own a weapon.

A federal grand jury indicted Elsey on the charge of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm in December 2021. He ultimately pleaded guilty on August 11, 2022, ending the legal maneuvering. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem led the prosecution, bringing the full weight of the Department of Justice down on Elsey.

The investigation wasn’t a solo act. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Dewey County Sheriff’s Office worked alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to build the case against Elsey. The cooperative effort demonstrates a commitment to tackling crime across jurisdictional lines. Elsey was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.

In addition to the prison sentence and supervised release, Elsey will also be required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. While a small amount, it’s a symbolic gesture meant to provide some measure of support to those impacted by crime. The case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while legally prohibited carries serious consequences.

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