MISSION, SD – Vernon Robert Schmidt, 38, of Mission, South Dakota, is headed back to federal prison after being sentenced on Monday, April 15, 2024, for illegally possessing a firearm. Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange handed down a sentence of two years and eleven months, followed by three years of supervised release. The case highlights the revolving door justice system for repeat offenders and the ongoing struggle to keep weapons out of the hands of those legally prohibited from owning them.
Federal authorities say law enforcement were initially searching for Schmidt on May 18, 2022, in connection with an alleged domestic dispute near Mission. During the search, officers located Schmidt at a different residence where a loaded 9mm pistol was discovered in his possession. Schmidt, also known as Sonny Bob Schmidt, wasn’t supposed to have a gun. His criminal history, stretching back nearly two decades, clearly disqualifies him.
The feds didn’t have to look far to establish Schmidt’s prohibited status. He’s a convicted felon – three times over. In 2005, he was convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer. A year later, in 2006, he escaped custody. And in 2015, he was convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Each conviction carries with it the legal consequence of forfeiting the right to own firearms or ammunition.
Schmidt was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2022 and ultimately pleaded guilty on January 16, 2024. As part of the sentence, Schmidt will forfeit ownership of the 9mm pistol to the United States. He was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing hearing. A $100 special assessment will also be paid to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson, framed the case as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative. PSN aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Critics, however, often point out that PSN relies heavily on prosecution and incarceration, with less emphasis on addressing the root causes of crime.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). While authorities tout this conviction as a win for public safety, the question remains whether a nearly three-year sentence will be enough to prevent Schmidt from re-offending upon his release. The Grimy Times will continue to track this case and report on Schmidt’s future legal entanglements, if any.
Related Federal Cases
- Robert Wolfe Jr., Possession of Illegal Firearm, SD, 2026 · South Dakota
- Jacob Bryan, Illegal Firearm Possession, SD 2018 · South Dakota
- Michael Schmidt, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, SD 2019 · South Dakota
- Toby Acevedo, Illegal Firearm Possession, South Dakota 2023 · Montana
- Jericho James Ladeaux, Illegal Firearm Possession, South Dakota 2025 · Alabama
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