Piercing the thin veil of safety in rural South Dakota, a man’s illicit actions shattered the trust of his community, sparking a federal investigation that would ultimately lead to his downfall.
Vernon Robert Schmidt, a/k/a Sonny Bob Schmidt, 38, of Mission, South Dakota, was sentenced to two years and 11 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota.
The sentencing took place on April 15, 2024, a stark reminder of the consequences of flouting the law. Schmidt’s crime, a blatant disregard for the rules, had far-reaching consequences, earning him a spot in the federal prison system.
The incident that led to Schmidt’s conviction occurred on May 18, 2022, near Mission. Law enforcement was on the hunt for him following an alleged domestic dispute at a residence near Mission. Schmidt was subsequently located at a different residence, where a loaded 9 mm pistol was found in his possession. This was no ordinary firearm – it was a deadly instrument, wielded by a prohibited person, namely Schmidt.
Schmidt’s history of convictions is well-documented. In 2005, he was convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer; in 2006, he was convicted of Escape; and in 2015, he was convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. These prior convictions make it a federal crime for Schmidt to possess firearms or ammunition, a fact that was conveniently overlooked by the defendant.
The case is a prime example of the Department of Justice’s commitment to reducing violent crime and gun violence through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. The successful prosecution of Schmidt’s case is a testament to the effectiveness of this program, which brings together law enforcement and the communities they serve to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The defendant was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, a fitting conclusion to a case that highlights the importance of holding prohibited persons accountable for their actions.
Related Federal Cases
- Gonzalez Sentenced to 22 Months for Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person · South Dakota
- Felon Gets 2+ Years for Illegal Gun · South Dakota
- Thomas Small Bear Sentenced in Mission Domestic Assault · South Dakota
- Mission Man Charged in Federal Officer Assault, Domestic Abuse · South Dakota
- Mission Man Charged in Federal Officer Assault Case · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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