U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of South Dakota
District of South Dakot
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2012
Brendan V. Johnson, United States Attorney
Contact: Mark Salter
605-357-2360
Two Watertown Men Sentenced for Firearms Violations
US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that two Watertown men charged with firearms offenses were sentenced on October 15, 2012, by US District Judge Charles B. Kornmann in Aberdeen.
Thomas Charles Drippon, age 28, was indicted for possession of firearms by a user of controlled substances, possession of an unregistered firearm (shortbarreled shotgun), and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number by a federal grand jury on February 7, 2012. Nelson Flute, age 22, was charged in the same indictment with possession of an unregistered firearm (short-barreled
shotgun) and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Drippon pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances on July 16, 2012. He was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison to be followed by 2 years of supervised release. The remaining two counts were dismissed.
###