A Dupree man has been sentenced to three years of probation for possessing a firearm as a felon. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Schulte on December 16, 2024, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell.
William Vandervier, 38, was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Vandervier had been indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2023 and pleaded guilty on September 25, 2024.
The incident leading to his conviction occurred on June 26, 2023, when officers from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services responded to a residence in Dupree. They observed Vandervier standing outside with a rifle after reaching into a vehicle. Despite orders from the officers to put down the weapon, he continued holding it until his brother intervened and took it away. Vandervier was aware that he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, strengthening PSN with core principles such as fostering trust in communities and supporting community-based violence prevention organizations.
The investigation involved the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Ziebach County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.