RAPID CITY, SD – Sabione Bettelyoun, 38, of Rapid City, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. U.S. Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes handed down a sentence of three years and one month on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, followed by three years of supervised release. Bettelyoun was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The case dates back to February 2022, when Rapid City Police encountered Bettelyoun. A subsequent search revealed a SCCY, model CPX-1, 9mm Luger caliber, semi-automatic pistol, along with ARMSCOR .22 Long Rifle and Winchester 9mm Luger caliber ammunition. The discovery was particularly damning because Bettelyoun is a previously convicted felon – legally barred from owning firearms.
Federal prosecutors presented evidence to a grand jury in March 2022, resulting in an indictment for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person. Bettelyoun ultimately pleaded guilty on October 14, 2022, accepting responsibility for the illegal possession. However, the additional discovery of methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia during the initial encounter painted a picture of a life spiraling out of control.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson successfully prosecuted the case, leveraging a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department. The ATF’s involvement underscores the agency’s continued focus on stemming the flow of illegal weapons into communities and holding accountable those who violate federal gun laws.
U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell framed the sentencing as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative law enforcement efforts. PSN emphasizes building trust with communities, supporting preventative programs, and focusing enforcement on the most pressing threats. While the program touts community safety, critics often point to the disproportionate impact of such measures on marginalized groups.
Following the sentencing, Bettelyoun was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving her sentence. The case serves as a stark reminder that federal authorities are actively prosecuting individuals who illegally possess firearms, even as debates rage over gun control measures and the effectiveness of current enforcement strategies. The full details of Bettelyoun’s prior conviction were not immediately released.
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