RAPID CITY – Sage Yellow Thunder, 31, of Sioux Falls, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced Friday for illegally possessing a handgun. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken handed down a 48-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. The conviction stems from an incident in January 2021, where Yellow Thunder was found with a loaded weapon despite being a previously convicted felon – a clear violation of federal law.
According to court documents, Yellow Thunder came into contact with law enforcement in Rapid City when the Remington Arms Company Incorporated, model 1911 R1, .45 AUTO caliber, semi-automatic pistol was discovered. A federal grand jury indicted him in June 2021, and he ultimately pleaded guilty on July 29, 2022, admitting to knowingly possessing the firearm while prohibited.
This isn’t just about a gun; it’s about a repeat offender disregarding the law. Yellow Thunder’s criminal history already disqualified him from owning a firearm, yet he chose to possess one anyway. The court also ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, a small restitution for the potential harm his actions could have caused.
Federal authorities are touting this case as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies and communities aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a renewed focus on PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, prevention programs, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department jointly investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson led the prosecution, successfully securing the 48-month sentence. Yellow Thunder was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing.
While authorities celebrate this conviction, it’s a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. Yellow Thunder’s case highlights the need for continued vigilance and robust enforcement of existing firearms laws, especially in communities grappling with rising violence. The question remains: will this sentence be enough to deter others from making the same dangerous choice?
Related Federal Cases
- Lucas Ahrendt, Illegal Firearm Possession, Sioux Falls SD, 2024 · South Dakota
- Robert Wolfe Jr. Packed Firearm, Sioux Falls SD, 2023 · South Dakota
- Travene Tyrone Myers, Firearm Possession, Sioux Falls SD, 2024 · South Dakota
- Richard Paul Olson, Firearm Possession, Sioux Falls SD, 2023 · South Dakota
- Robert Wolfe Jr., Possession of Illegal Firearm, SD, 2026 · South Dakota
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons