Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The sentencing took place on January 29, 2024.

Nathan James Thompson, 40, was sentenced to  four years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Thompson was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person (Felon) by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 6, 2023.

According to court documents, Thompson was a driving a vehicle in Sioux Falls on December 25, 2022, and was arrested following a traffic violation. Law enforcement found a firearm in Thompson’s pocket. Thompson had previously been convicted of a felony for Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, so was aware he was not allowed to possess firearms.

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 Sioux Falls Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert prosecuted the case.

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