United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that two Eagle Butte, South Dakota, individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of an Unregistered Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
Wacey James Long, age 29, and Shawnda Cyrene Dupris, age 31, were indicted on February 15, 2017. Both appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 17, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on September 16, 2016, both Long and Dupris knowingly received and possessed a shotgun firearm having a barrel length of less than 18 inches and an overall length of less than 26 inches, that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record database. The Indictment also alleges that on the same day, both Long and Dupris, knowingly received and possessed the shotgun firearm even though they were prohibited from doing so because they are unlawful users of and addicted to a controlled substance.
The charges are merely accusations and both Long and Dupris are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services Narcotics Division, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan is prosecuting the case.
Long was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, and Dupris was released pending trial. Trial is set for April 18, 2017.