Sabione Bettelyoun, a 38-year-old Rapid City woman and previously convicted felon, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition—violating federal law that bars felons from owning guns. The sentence, handed down January 31, 2023, by U.S. Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes, marks the latest conviction under a federal crackdown on gun violence.
Bettelyoun pleaded guilty on October 14, 2022, to one count of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person, following her March 2022 indictment by a federal grand jury. She was immediately remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing, with no leniency shown.
The case stems from a February 2022 incident in Rapid City when law enforcement encountered Bettelyoun and discovered she was in possession of a SCCY, model CPX-1, 9mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol. Also seized: ARMSCOR .22 Long Rifle caliber ammunition and Winchester 9mm Luger caliber rounds. A search revealed additional contraband—methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia—further stacking the evidence against her.
As a previously convicted felon, Bettelyoun was legally prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Her arrest and prosecution fall under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2021 to combat violent crime through strategic enforcement, community collaboration, and measurable results.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson handled the prosecution, underscoring the federal commitment to removing illegal guns from high-risk individuals.
In addition to her prison term, Bettelyoun will serve three years of supervised release and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The case reflects ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence in South Dakota and enforce strict penalties for prohibited persons caught with deadly weapons.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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