RAPID CITY — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - South Dakota), published as received.

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on December 1, 2022.

Julion Graham, 26, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison, followed by three of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Graham was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on August 24, 2022.

Graham, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, knowingly possessed a Bersa, .380 ACP semi-automatic pistol in April of 2022 in Rapid City, which was found after Graham came into contact with law enforcement. 

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. 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.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Graham was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.