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Press Release

Eagle Butte Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Five Years and Eight Months for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Devin Dolphus, age 25, was sentenced on November 20, 2024, to five years and eight months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition was also ordered.

Dolphus was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024, and pleaded guilty on August 27, 2024.

On March 1, 2024, Dolphus was found passed out in a running vehicle at a gas station in New Underwood. As officers made contact with Dolphus they found him to be disoriented, with bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and hand tremors. A search of the vehicle recovered a Bushmaster model XM15-E2S rifle and two magazines, marijuana, pills, syringes with methamphetamine residue, and other drug related items. At the time of his arrest Dolphus tested positive for THC and methamphetamine. Dolphus is prohibited from possessing firearms because he was previously twice convicted of federal firearm convictions in 2019 and 2021.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Dolphus was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.

Updated November 26, 2024

Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Firearms Offenses