Rapid City Man Guilty Of Possessing A Stolen Gun

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Sheldon LaPointe, 37, of Rapid City, South Dakota, appeared before Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court, on July 24, 2013, and pled guilty to a charge of Possession of a Stolen Firearm. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.

In October 2012, at Rapid City, LaPointe was given a stolen .45 caliber handgun.  The person that gave LaPointe the handgun had informed him it was stolen, and from whom.  LaPointe proceeded to hide the gun inside a residence, where it was later retrieved by police. 

The investigation was conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date will be set.  The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.