DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of South Dakota

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Brendan V. Johnson
, United States Attorney
Contact: Ace Crawford

McLaughlin Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of Ammunition

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Felon in Possession of Ammunition was sentenced on September 8, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Byron Hawk Bear, Sr., age 38, was sentenced to 60 months in custody with credit for 178 days served, 2 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The Court also ordered forfeiture of an Astra .357 caliber revolver and ammunition. Hawk Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 11, 2014. He pled guilty to the Indictment on June 16, 2014. The conviction arose from a January 16, 2014, incident in Mobridge, when police officers responded to a call to assist a Department of Social Services worker gain entry to an apartment. The apartment manager opened the door and the police officers found Hawk Bear, a convicted felon, hiding in a bedroom closet inside the apartment. They also found a red duffel bag that contained a .357 caliber revolver and .357 caliber shells. Additional shells were found in a pocket of Hawk Bear’s pants. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mobridge Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case. Hawk Bear was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.
St. Paul Field Division