RAPID CITY, SD – Majestic Fairbanks, 28, of Rapid City, South Dakota, will spend the next five years in federal prison after being sentenced for possessing an unregistered and highly dangerous firearm – a homemade explosive device. U.S. Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes handed down the sentence on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, also tacking on three years of supervised release and a $100 assessment for the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), along with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Rapid City Police Department, stemmed from an incident dating back to December 2019 and January 2020. Fairbanks concocted a destructive device: a metal aerosol canister rigged with CO2 cartridges and a commercial-grade firework packed with explosives. He then used it to attack a local business.
According to court documents, Fairbanks forcibly broke into the business and hurled the homemade bomb inside. The resulting explosion caused significant damage to the property. Law enforcement later discovered Fairbanks in possession of a second, identical device, and he confessed to manufacturing both. The indictment came in March 2022, and Fairbanks pleaded guilty on October 14, 2022.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson, who prosecuted the case, presented evidence showing Fairbanks acted with clear intent to cause harm. While the extent of injuries, if any, sustained during the bombing were not detailed in the release, the potential for serious damage and injury was substantial. The device was clearly constructed to inflict maximum damage.
U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell framed the sentencing as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a federal program aiming to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The program focuses on fostering trust with communities, supporting local organizations, and strategic enforcement. But for the residents of Rapid City, the sentence serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals willing to build and deploy explosive devices.
Fairbanks was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his five-year sentence. The ATF continues to investigate similar cases nationwide, focusing on the illegal manufacture and possession of firearms, including destructive devices, and working with local law enforcement to keep communities safe. This case highlights the serious consequences for those who choose to endanger public safety with homemade explosives.
Related Federal Cases
- Ahmed Belhage, Illegal Firearm Possession, Rapid City SD, 2023 · South Dakota
- Zachary Kirschenmann, Illegal Firearm Possession, Rapid City SD, 2023 · South Dakota
- Juan Crawford, Illegal Firearm Possession, Rapid City SD, 2023 · South Dakota
- Ryan Reausaw, Illegal Firearm, Rapid City SD, 2023 · South Dakota
- Duane Starkey, Illegal Firearm Possession, Rapid City SD, 2023 · South Dakota
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons