Rapid City man acquitted of federal firearm charges after jury trial

Federal Court
Ron Parsons, United States Attorney
Ron Parsons, United States Attorney - Official Website
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Jan 21, 2026
BySouth Dakota Courts Daily
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A federal jury in Rapid City, South Dakota, has acquitted Christian Kelly, 32, of charges related to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of an unregistered firearm. The verdict was delivered on January 14, 2026.

Kelly had been indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025. The case stemmed from an incident in Rapid City where Kelly was alleged to have waved an illegally modified rifle and then hid it under a vehicle when law enforcement arrived.

The investigation into the matter was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with the Rapid City Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office handled the prosecution.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced the outcome.

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U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota

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