United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the sentencing of a Sioux Falls man, Todd Alan Peltier, for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. U.S. Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange delivered the sentence on January 13, 2025.

Peltier, aged 31, received a five-year federal prison term followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The case began when Peltier was indicted in July 2024 for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He pleaded guilty to the latter charge in October 2024.

On May 23, 2024, detectives from the Sioux Falls Police Department observed Peltier entering a vehicle and driving to a casino on West 41st Street in Sioux Falls. At that time, he was on parole and had an active arrest warrant. Detectives arrested him inside the casino and found methamphetamine in his pants pocket during a search incident to arrest. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a pistol with an obliterated serial number under the driver's seat. Peltier admitted to law enforcement that he knowingly possessed the firearm.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched this initiative's enhanced strategy on May 26, 2021, focusing on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Beau J. Blouin prosecuted the case.

Following sentencing, Peltier was remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.