Rapid City Rock Chip Scam King Bland Hit with Wire Fraud Charges

RAILROAD TOWN – Rapid City’s own Robert Rodney Bland, 51, is facing a litany of federal charges, including 18 counts of Wire Fraud and one count of Theft of Government Property, for an alleged scheme that fleeced the General Services Administration (GSA) out of $250,000.

Bland was formally indicted on May 21, 2019, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 6, 2019. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining his innocence until proven otherwise. If convicted, Bland could face up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory assessment of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The charges stem from allegations that Bland fraudulently billed for windshield rock chip repairs on GSA vehicles. However, these repairs were never carried out. The severity of the accusations underscores the sophisticated nature of the alleged scam.

This investigation is a collaborative effort between the General Services Administration-Office of Inspector General, the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Defense-Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson is tasked with prosecuting the case against Bland.

Despite the charges, Bland was released pending trial, and a trial date remains unset. The grimy details of this alleged scheme have sent shockwaves through Rapid City’s community, highlighting the impact of white-collar crimes on public trust and resources.

This is not the first time Bland has found himself in legal hot water; his latest charges add to an already lengthy rap sheet. As the investigation unfolds, one thing remains clear: if the allegations are true, Bland will have a tough fight ahead in court.