Rapid City Robber Faces Multiple Hobbs Act Charges

GRIM NEWS FROM RAPID CITY — A local man has been hit with serious charges after a string of daring robberies.

Michael Daker, 58, of Rapid City, South Dakota, is now facing federal charges for five counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery, also known as the Hobbs Act. The announcement came from United States Attorney Ron Parsons, who detailed the allegations against Daker.

Daker was charged on July 23, 2020, and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on August 3, 2020. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges. Should he be convicted, each count carries a potential sentence of 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, along with 3 years of supervised release and a contribution of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The charges stem from Daker’s alleged involvement in robbing convenience stores in both Rapid City and Spearfish, as well as a motel and casino in the city. The case is being handled under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and ensuring safer neighborhoods.

Project Safe Neighborhoods was reinvigorated by the Department of Justice in 2017 to target violent criminals more effectively. This program involves cooperation between all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The investigation is a joint effort led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with local forces from the Rapid City Police Department and the Spearfish Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is handling the prosecution of this case.

Daker remains in detention pending trial, with no trial date set as of yet.

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