A Bismarck, North Dakota man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and tampering with a witness. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier on January 24, 2025.
Henry Damon Smith, Jr., aged 41, received a sentence of 15 years for the firearm charge, followed by five years of supervised release. Additionally, he was sentenced to three years for tampering with a witness, with an additional three years of supervised release. These sentences will run concurrently. Smith is also required to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Smith was indicted in December 2023 and pleaded guilty on November 4, 2024. His case originated from an incident where a Rapid City Police Department officer found him in possession of a firearm in Rapid City. Due to prior felony convictions related to domestic violence and assault on law enforcement, Smith is prohibited from owning firearms. After his arrest, he attempted to persuade a witness to claim responsibility for the weapon.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. This initiative emphasizes trust-building within communities, support for community-based organizations that prevent violence, strategic enforcement priorities, and result measurement.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.
Smith has been remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.