A Rapid City man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler handed down the sentence to Raymond Winters, 36, on January 12, 2026. In addition to the prison term, Winters will serve three years of supervised release and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Winters was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025 and pleaded guilty on October 8, 2025. According to court records, on January 22, 2025, Winters fled from his vehicle after noticing law enforcement officers and discarded a firearm onto the ground. He was found carrying ammunition and methamphetamine. Evidence indicated that shortly before his arrest, Winters had pointed the firearm at his domestic partner several times. Due to a prior felony conviction, Winters is legally barred from possessing firearms.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone,” according to United States Attorney Ron Parsons.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.
Following sentencing, Winters was immediately remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
