RAPID CITY, South Dakota – In a recent sentencing, Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange of the U.S. District Court handed down a 10-year prison term to Harold Salway, a resident of Rapid City. Salway was convicted of multiple charges, including Possession of Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime, and two counts of False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm. The sentencing, which took place on September 1, 2023, also includes five years of supervised release and a $400 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Salway’s journey through the federal court system began when he was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. The charges against him included Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, and False Statement During Purchase of a Firearm. Ultimately, Salway pleaded guilty on June 16, 2023.

The events leading to Salway’s conviction unfolded in June of 2022 in Rapid City. During a law enforcement encounter, it was discovered that Salway, who was deemed an unlawful user of a controlled substance, had multiple firearms in his possession. Furthermore, investigations revealed that between January of 2021 and March of 2022, Salway bought at least 43 firearms, which he either exchanged for drugs or sold to individuals who were prohibited from owning firearms.

This case bears significance within the context of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Launched by the Department on May 26, 2021, the program emphasizes building trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

The successful prosecution of the case was the result of joint efforts by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson played a pivotal role in prosecuting the case.

Salway was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing.

In conclusion, Harold Salway’s conviction and sentencing in federal court highlight the consequences of illegal firearm possession and fraudulent practices during firearm purchases. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and the adherence to Project Safe Neighborhoods’ core principles demonstrate the commitment to making communities safer for everyone.

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