United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Craig Edward Valandra, age 34, was indicted on July 19, 2016. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on Sept. 19, 2016, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about June 20, 2016, at St. Francis, Valandra, having previously been convicted of a felony, knowingly possessed a firearm.
The charge is merely an accusation and Valandra is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk W. Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Valandra was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. Trial has been set for Nov. 15, 2016.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
