A Rapid City man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The sentencing, announced by United States Attorney Ron Parsons, was handed down by U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler on October 1, 2025.
Patrick Mousseaux, 41, will serve the prison term followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and forfeit his interest in the firearm and ammunition used in the crime.
Mousseaux was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2024 and entered a guilty plea on July 11, 2025.
The incident occurred on April 9, 2024, when Mousseaux learned that the victim would be arriving at an address in Rapid City where he was already present and armed. When the victim arrived, “Mousseaux pointed the barrel of the gun at the victim, ordered him out of the vehicle, and demanded that he surrender the car.” Mousseaux then took control of the vehicle with two other individuals and left the victim at the scene. The carjacking was reported immediately to local police.
Law enforcement found the stolen Nissan Rogue near its original location one day later. Officers recovered a Ruger semi-automatic handgun with ammunition inside; this matched what had been described by the victim. During a search of a nearby residence, officers saw Mousseaux attempting to flee through a window before arresting him. Due to previous state convictions for third-degree burglary, Mousseaux is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
“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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone,” according to information provided by authorities. “On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.”
The investigation was conducted by agents from both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted this case.
Following sentencing, Mousseaux was remanded into custody of U.S. Marshals Service.
