RAPID CITY, SD – Marcel Boyd, 37, of Rapid City, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced Friday for illegally possessing a handgun and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken handed down an 18-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. Boyd was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The case stems from an August 2022 incident in Rapid City. Boyd, already a convicted felon – legally prohibited from owning firearms – was found with a Taurus 9×19 mm Luger pistol and accompanying 9mm ammunition. Law enforcement encountered Boyd while responding to a domestic violence call, uncovering the weapon during the investigation.
A federal grand jury indicted Boyd in October 2022 on the charge of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person. He entered a guilty plea on February 2, 2023, effectively ending the legal proceedings. Boyd was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing.
Federal authorities highlight this case as part of the “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program emphasizes community engagement, focused enforcement, and measurable results.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), alongside the Rapid City Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to Boyd’s conviction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson handled the prosecution of the case, securing the sentence against the repeat offender.
This sentencing serves as a stark reminder that possessing firearms while legally prohibited carries serious federal consequences. Authorities indicate that Project Safe Neighborhoods will continue to prioritize cases like Boyd’s, targeting individuals who endanger public safety through illegal firearm possession.
Related Federal Cases
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- Duane Starkey, Illegal Firearm Possession, Rapid City SD, 2023 · South Dakota
- Raymond Contreras, Illegal Firearm Possession, Rapid City SD, 2023 · South Dakota
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