United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the sentencing of a Rapid City man, Arlen Blackburn, to three years in federal prison for possessing an unregistered firearm. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler on January 23, 2025.
Blackburn, aged 19, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The charges against Blackburn included Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. These charges were brought after he was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2024. He entered a guilty plea on November 1, 2024.
In April 2024, the Rapid City Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the area. A vehicle matching the description linked to these reports was located, and its driver initially attempted to flee before stopping. Inside as a passenger was Arlen Blackburn, who had reportedly discharged a sawed-off shotgun earlier that day with a barrel length shorter than eighteen inches—a violation due to it being unregistered.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program focuses on building trust within communities, supporting preventive community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder led the prosecution.
Following his sentencing, Blackburn was placed into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.