A Rapid City man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for possession of a firearm as a prohibited person. U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler delivered the sentence on January 27, 2025.
Cylis Chipps, aged 21, will also serve three years of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Chipps was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2024 and pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024.
Law enforcement found Chipps in possession of a pistol and items testing positive for methamphetamine on September 15, 2024. He had prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and stealing a firearm, making it illegal for him to possess firearms.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy under PSN on May 26, 2021.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted it.
Chipps was immediately placed in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.