Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person

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 Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 19, 2024.

Gregory Lamar Bell, age 55, was sentenced to four years and nine 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.

Bell was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 8, 2024.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on April 4, 2023, when Bell, who had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Taurus G3 9mm handgun and 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, which had been transported in interstate commerce. At the time he was in possession of the firearm, which was stolen, Bell was driving a stolen vehicle and was found in possession of small amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

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