Julion Graham, Firearm Possession, South Dakota 2022

RAPID CITY, SD – Julion Graham, 26, of Rapid City, is starting a lengthy federal stretch after admitting to being a prohibited person in possession of a loaded handgun. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken handed down the sentence on December 1, 2022, sentencing Graham to two years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

The case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department, stemmed from an April 2022 encounter with law enforcement that revealed Graham was packing a Bersa, .380 ACP semi-automatic pistol. The problem? Graham is a convicted felon, meaning federal law bars him from owning or possessing any firearms. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in May and pleaded guilty in August.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson successfully prosecuted the case, laying out the evidence that proved Graham knowingly violated federal firearms laws. Beyond the prison time, Judge Viken also ordered Graham to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund – a small restitution for the potential harm his actions could have caused.

Federal officials are framing the case as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting federal, state, and local law enforcement with community organizations. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, violence prevention, and focused enforcement.

Graham was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing. While two years might seem like a slap on the wrist to some, federal authorities are sending a clear message: possessing a firearm when you’re legally barred from doing so carries serious consequences. The ATF continues to aggressively pursue these cases, aiming to keep guns out of the hands of those who would misuse them.

U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell, speaking through a Department of Justice release, highlighted the importance of prosecuting these offenses. The sentencing serves as a reminder that the federal government is committed to enforcing gun laws and ensuring the safety of communities like Rapid City. The investigation remains closed, with no indication of further charges at this time.

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