United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a transient woman from the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, area was convicted of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and was sentenced on July 21, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Elizabeth Ashley Drake, age 35, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Drake was indicted for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person by a federal grand jury on July 7, 2021. She pled guilty on May 5, 2022.
On or about June 11, 2021, Drake had possession of a Taurus, model 85, .38 Special caliber, double action revolver, ammunition, methamphetamine, and methamphetamine paraphernalia, in Sioux Falls.
On June 11, 2021, the Sioux Falls Police Department lawfully searched a vehicle Drake was a passenger in and located the firearms, narcotics, and syringes. Drake knew she was prohibited from possessing a firearm, as she had been previously convicted of one or more crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year. Drake was also prohibited from possessing firearms as she was an unlawful user of controlled substances.
This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.
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Drake was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.