Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Body Armor

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Body Armor by a Violent Felon was sentenced on May 18, 2017, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Eric William Ladeaux, age 30, was sentenced to 20 months of imprisonment, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Ladeaux was charged on October 20, 2015, and pleaded guilty on January 6, 2017.

The conviction stems from Ladeaux leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase and, after his arrest, was found to be wearing a ballistic vest. As a previously convicted felon, it is illegal for Ladeaux to possess body armor.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Ladeaux was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.