PORCUPINE, SD – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Porcupine, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Carjacking, Use and Brandishing of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

Curtis Horse, age 29, was indicted on December 8, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 16, 2020, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The penalty upon conviction is 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, followed by three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Horse stealing a motor vehicle and firearm at gunpoint at Rapid City, South Dakota, in November 2020.  The charges are merely an accusation and Horse is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-announces-launch-project-guardian-nationwide-strategic-plan

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.

Horse was detained pending trial.  A trial has been set for February 23, 2021.

Charles Little Bear, Jr., age 54, was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Little Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 20, 2020.  He pled guilty on November 9, 2020.

The conviction stemmed from Little Bear failing to register as a sex offender as required by federal law between July 19, 2019, and April 9, 2020.  Little Bear had previously been convicted of a sex offense in federal court, which requires him to register for 25 years after his release from custody.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.

Little Bear was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Summerset, SD – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man who pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on December 17, 2020, by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.

Richard Nowell, age 59, was sentenced to one year, plus one day, in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

From approximately April 2019 to late August 2019, Nowell brought methamphetamine to South Dakota while working as an over the road truck driver. Nowell then dispersed the methamphetamine to others for use or additional distribution.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.

Nowell was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

SIOUX FALLS, IN – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Bud Theus, II, age 68, was indicted on October 14, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on December 29, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on May 8, 2020, Theus, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and then knowing he had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and being an unlawful user of a controlled substance, and then knowing he was an unlawful user of a controlled substance, knowingly did possess a revolver, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce and foreign commerce, in Corson County, South Dakota.

The charge is merely an accusation and Theus is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Corson County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.

Theus was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Cecilia Ann Gillespie, 31, of Albuquerque, was charged in federal court on Dec. 30 with robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, mail theft and conspiracy to defraud the United States. A detention hearing is scheduled for Jan. 4.

              On Oct. 13, a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier was robbed at gunpoint at an apartment complex in Albuquerque. The suspects took mail keys and several pieces of U.S. Mail. On Nov. 23, a USPS letter carrier was robbed at gunpoint of two trays of mail in Albuquerque. The suspects allegedly fled both times in a white Dodge Avenger. A criminal complaint alleges that the vehicle used in the crimes belongs to Gillespie and that Gillespie was the driver in both armed robberies.

According to the complaint, on Dec. 11, U.S. Postal Inspectors located the white Dodge Avenger and allegedly observed Gillespie getting into the car. On Dec. 11, Postal Inspectors, Homeland Security Investigations and the New Mexico State Police conducted a search of the residence where the vehicle had been located. Inspectors found stolen mail, including stolen checks, both opened and unopened. Gillespie was one of the occupants on the lease.

If convicted, Gillespie faces a minimum of seven and up to 25 years in prison. A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — On December 30, 2020, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Pamela Sue Hester, age 59, of Burlington, to 130 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Following her prison term, Hester was ordered to serve five years of supervised release as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The investigation began in 2018 when law enforcement learned of Hester being a distributer of methamphetamine in the Burlington area. In February 2019, Hester was arrested on a warrant and officers located 58 grams of methamphetamine and $764.00 that was comingled with proceeds for drug trafficking in her possession. At a search warrant of Hester’s residence that same day, law enforcement located 217 grams of methamphetamine, $2,000 cash, drug packaging material, and a digital scale. Hester admitted to knowingly possessing the materials and drugs with the intent to distribute and deliver it to others.

This matter was investigated by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — On December 30, 2020, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Eric Allen Rhine, age 55, of North Liberty, to 120 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Following his prison term, Rhine was ordered to serve five years of supervised release as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

This investigation began in 2018 involving narcotics trafficking between Johnson County and Chicago, Illinois. Law enforcement determined Rhine and his co-conspirator, Robert Rankins, Jr., obtained heroin in Chicago and sold it in Johnson County. Rhine admitted the conspiracy was responsible for selling more than 1,000 grams of heroin and he was supplying heroin to numerous individuals in the Iowa City/Coralville/North Liberty area.

This matter was investigated by the Johnson County Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — On December 30, 2020, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Robert Dean Stagers, age 32, of Mount Pleasant, to 140 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Stagers was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and to pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The investigation began in March of 2018 when law enforcement discovered Stagers had become a supplier of methamphetamine in the Southeast Iowa area. Stagers knowingly distributed methamphetamine to his purchasers who then distributed to others. In 2019, a search warrant was executed on Stagers’ residence in Mount Pleasant. Officers found a safe that contained 132.01 grams of methamphetamine and seven loaded guns. A vehicle associated with Stagers was also searched and officers found four more firearms. Stagers admitted he knowingly carried and used these firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

This matter was investigated by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.