Rapid City Felon Shane McCloskey Sentenced for Gun Possession

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: In a swift move against gun crime, 23-year-old Shane McCloskey of Rapid City, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for illegal possession of an unregistered firearm. United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced the sentence on January 31, 2023, handed down by U.S. Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes.

Mccloskey’s ignominious journey began in October 2021 when he was caught with a SCCY CPX-2, 9mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol in Rapid City. The former felon, barred from firearm possession due to his prior convictions, pleaded guilty on October 7, 2022, after being indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

This conviction is a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against gun violence under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative initiative to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer. Launched in May 2021, PSN focuses on fostering community trust, supporting preventive measures, strategic enforcement, and measuring outcomes. Mccloskey’s sentence is a testament to the program’s effectiveness.

The investigation was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case with determination. Following his sentencing, McCloskey was immediately remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

As a result of this conviction, Mccloskey is also required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and will serve three years of supervised release after his federal prison term. The sentence sends a clear message that illegal gun possession will not be tolerated in South Dakota.

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