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 Dupree, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on December 12, 2022.
Joseph Bowker, 31, was sentenced to two years and five months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Bowker was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in December of 2021. He pleaded guilty on June 21, 2022.
In August 2021, in Rapid City, Bowker, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, knowingly possessed a Taurus, model PT111, Millenium Pro G2, 9x19mm Luger caliber, semi-automatic pistol, which was found after Bowker 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.
Bowker was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
