A Rapid City man, Zachary Coats, has been sentenced to federal prison following his conviction on charges involving the theft of firearms. U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler delivered the sentence on April 7, 2025.
Zachary Coats, 28, received a sentence of four years and two months in federal prison for each of the two counts of theft of a firearm, to be served concurrently. This will be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $10,277.67 in restitution.
In February 2024, Coats faced an indictment on three counts of theft of a firearm and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. He pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of a firearm on January 29, 2025.
The crimes date back to August 2023, when Coats burglarized several federally licensed firearms dealerships in Rapid City, stealing various firearms including a Beretta 12-gauge shotgun, a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun, a USA Military Surplus .30 caliber rifle, and a Stoeger 12-gauge shotgun. During the investigation, it was discovered that Coats instructed his spouse, Danielle Coats, to move the stolen firearms from their home to prevent law enforcement from discovering them. Following his instructions, she directed others to further move or dispose of the firearms.
Danielle Coats also faced legal consequences. She pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm and was sentenced in July 2024 to two years and six months in federal prison.
The case comes under the umbrella of Operation Take Back America, aiming to dismantle illegal immigration, cartels, and transnational criminal organizations, while ensuring community safety from violent crimes. This initiative harnesses the efforts and resources of the Department of Justice, specifically through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The investigation was conducted with the involvement of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson leading the prosecution.
Following the sentencing, Zachary Coats was placed in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.