Pierre Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Michael Schmidt, age 43, was indicted on June 12, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 26, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about January 31, 2018, Schmidt, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly possessed and received a .22 long rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun, which both had been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce.

The charge is merely an accusation and Schmidt is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Forest Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

Schmidt was released on bond pending trial, which has been set for August 21, 2018.