United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possesion of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on March 21, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Michael Layne Spath, age 36, was sentenced to 51 months in custody, followed by three years supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and forfeit three firearms in his possession.
Spath was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury on July 12, 2016. He pled guilty on December 21, 2016.
On December 3, 2015, officers with the Minnehaha County Warrant Task Force went to the home of Spath in search of a parole absconder. While at the residence, officers located a 12-gauge shotgun, and shotgun shells. Officers obtained a state search warrant to search the house more thoroughly and found a HiPoint .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol behind the refrigerator, along with .45 caliber ammunition on the basement steps. When Spath was apprehended on December 10, 2015, he had a loaded .40 caliber handgun with him in his vehicle. He was immediately arrested and placed in custody.
This case was investigated by Sioux Falls Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Spath was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.