SIOUX FALLS, SD – A loaded handgun found stashed in a nightstand cost Richard Paul Olson, 33, of Sioux Falls, over three years of his freedom. U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier handed down the sentence on June 6, 2023, after Olson pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
The bust went down on April 21, 2022, when law enforcement executed a warrant at Olson’s residence. They didn’t find drugs, or cash—just a firearm, loaded and ready to fire, tucked away in his nightstand. A single round was chambered, with four more in the magazine. The problem? Olson already had a criminal record that barred him from owning any firearms.
Federal prosecutors didn’t waste time. A grand jury indicted Olson in September 2022, and he entered a guilty plea on May 10, 2023. U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell’s office pushed for a significant sentence, and the judge delivered. Olson will spend three years and one month behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release.
Beyond the prison time, Olson is on the hook for a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. And the weapon itself? Forfeited. It’s now in the hands of law enforcement, another gun off the streets, thanks to a search warrant and a careless criminal.
The investigation was a joint effort, with the U.S. Marshals Service, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) all contributing to the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri led the prosecution. The ATF didn’t release details about what prompted the initial warrant, leaving open questions about Olson’s other potential activities.
Olson was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence. This case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm with a felony conviction carries serious federal penalties. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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