Custer Man Charged As Felon In Possession Of A Firearm

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Custer, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly unlawfully possessing firearms in March 2013.

Brandon Hattaway, age 29, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 16, 2013, for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  Hattaway appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on April 22, 2013, and pleaded not guilty to the indictment.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.  The charge is merely an accusation, and Hattaway is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, the Custer County Sheriff's Office, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen is prosecuting the case.  Hattaway was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set for June 25, 2013.