Justin Eagle Pipe, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, South Dakota 2022

ST. FRANCIS, SD – Justin Eagle Pipe, 38, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced Monday for illegally possessing a firearm. Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange of the U.S. District Court handed down a 15-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. Eagle Pipe was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The case began on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2022, when Rosebud Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement Services officers pulled over Eagle Pipe’s vehicle for erratic driving. The officers quickly determined Eagle Pipe was driving under the influence. A search revealed more than just intoxication – a Glock handgun and a methamphetamine syringe were discovered during a pat-down. A subsequent urinalysis confirmed Eagle Pipe’s methamphetamine and marijuana use.

According to court documents, Eagle Pipe freely admitted to regular methamphetamine use and, crucially, acknowledged his prior federal felony conviction. That conviction, authorities say, made it illegal for him to possess any firearms. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2022 and pleaded guilty on August 23, 2022, to the charge of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm.

Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges, highlighted the danger posed by individuals with prior convictions possessing weapons. The case was presented as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing violent crime through targeted enforcement and community partnerships.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are legally prohibited from possessing them,” stated U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell in a press release. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Both agencies played a critical role in building the case against Eagle Pipe.

Eagle Pipe was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing. His 15-month sentence marks the latest outcome in the ongoing PSN program, which aims to address violent crime by focusing on the most dangerous offenders and supporting local crime prevention efforts. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases impacting South Dakota communities.

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