A Sioux Falls man has been sentenced to federal prison for the illegal possession of a firearm. James Daniel Lathrop, 31, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Lathrop was indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person in April 2025. He pleaded guilty on July 7, 2025. The conviction stemmed from an incident on December 24, 2024, in Sioux Falls, SD, when law enforcement officers found Lathrop in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Lathrop is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of a previous felony conviction and because he is an unlawful user of controlled substances. The case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Lathrop was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. The sentencing took place on September 29, 2025, with Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange presiding. United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced the sentencing, highlighting the importance of keeping communities safe from individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
The sentencing of James Daniel Lathrop serves as a reminder of the consequences of illegal firearm possession and the commitment of law enforcement to holding individuals accountable for their actions. As the Department of Justice continues to work towards reducing gun violence and protecting communities, cases like this demonstrate the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
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Related Federal Cases
- Lathrop Sentenced for Gun Crime · South Dakota
- Firearm Felon Lucas Ahrendt Gets 2.5 Years for Gun Crime · South Dakota
- Ideal Man’s Five-Year Sentence for Larceny and Gun Crime · South Dakota
- Parmelee Man Jailed for Assault, Gun Crime · South Dakota
- Felon Gets 2+ Years for Illegal Gun · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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