RAPID CITY, SD – Julion Graham, 26, of Rapid City is heading to federal prison after being sentenced this week for illegally possessing a handgun, the Department of Justice announced. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken handed down a two-year, three-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. Graham was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The case against Graham began in April of 2022 when he was found to be in possession of a Bersa .380 ACP semi-automatic pistol. Crucially, Graham is a convicted felon, legally barred from owning or possessing any firearms. A federal grand jury indicted him in May, and he subsequently pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person on August 24th.
Details revealed during the investigation showed Graham knowingly had the weapon when he encountered law enforcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department jointly investigated the case, building a solid case against the repeat offender. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson led the prosecution.
Federal authorities are framing the sentencing as a win for “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by coordinating efforts between law enforcement at all levels and the communities they serve. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, preventative measures, and focused enforcement.
Graham was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing hearing on December 1st. The ATF’s St. Paul Field Division oversaw the investigation, highlighting the agency’s commitment to stemming the flow of illegal firearms and holding those who break the law accountable.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even with a prior conviction, individuals continue to attempt to possess firearms illegally, endangering the public. Federal prosecutors are aggressively pursuing these cases, sending a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated. The full press release from U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell’s office can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-sd.
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