Sioux Falls Woman Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that District Court Judge Lawrence Piersol has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota woman convicted of Possession of a Firearm by Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on September 25, 2023.

Ashley Garcia, 36, was sentenced to twelve months and one day in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.   

Garcia was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. She pleaded guilty on June 27, 2023.

On December 21, 2022, Garcia was walking in the area of West 12th and Interstate 29 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with a rifle. A concerned party called the police department about a woman walking outside, as it was during a blizzard, and the temperature was -9 degrees. When officers arrived, Garcia had the rifle in her left hand, but attempted to discard it upon being approached by law enforcement.

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

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