Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of Firearm

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 26, 2024.

Darian Libert, age 26, was sentenced to one year and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Libert was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on May 1, 2024.

In July of 2023, at Rapid City, Libert, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, was found to be in possession of Sturm, Ruger & Company .380 AUTO caliber semi-automatic pistol. The investigation began when Libert was driving a four-wheeler on Deadwood Avenue and was involved in an accident. Libert fled the scene but was later located by law enforcement officers and was found in possession of the firearm in his pocket.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Libert was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.