Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mitchell, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Felon in Possession of Firearm.

David Edward Petersdorf, age 50, was indicted on August 6, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on August 14, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about May 7, 2019, Petersdorf, knowing he had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly possessed a 9mm caliber semi-automatic handgun which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce. The charge is merely an accusation and Petersdorf is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Nash is prosecuting the case.

Petersdorf was released on bond pending trial, which has been set for October 22, 2019.

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