Grimy Times has learned that Mario Moran, a 19-year-old man from Box Elder, South Dakota, has been indicted for possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. The indictment, which was returned in September 2022, alleges that Moran, who has a prior felony conviction, possessed a Hi-Point, model CF380, .380 AUTO caliber, semi-automatic pistol near Sturgis, South Dakota, in July 2022.
Moran appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on October 3, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the indictment. He has been remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
The maximum penalty for conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.
The investigation is being conducted by the ATF and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Moran’s case highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in South Dakota. According to Grimy Times research, gun violence has been on the rise in the state in recent years. The community is calling for increased efforts to address the issue.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
The charge is merely an accusation, and Moran is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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