Two Arraigned on Federal Firearm Charges

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Rapid City man and an Oelrichs man were indicted by a federal grand jury for Felon In Possession, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Aiding & Abetting.
Wayne C. Richards, age 19, and Earl D. Dowty, age 45, were indicted by a federal grand jury on January 19, 2011. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 21, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' imprisonment on each count. Richards and Dowty are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers is prosecuting the case. Richards and Dowty were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.