A Bismarck, North Dakota man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and tampering with a witness. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell and carried out by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier on January 24, 2025.

Henry Damon Smith, Jr., aged 41, received a sentence that includes five years of supervised release following the firearm charge and three years of supervised release after the tampering charge. Both sentences will run concurrently. Additionally, Smith must pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Smith was indicted in December 2023 for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and pleaded guilty on November 4, 2024. His arrest followed an incident where a Rapid City Police Department officer found him with a firearm in Rapid City. Due to previous felony convictions, including domestic violence and assault on law enforcement, Smith is barred from owning firearms. After his arrest, he attempted to persuade a witness to take responsibility for the weapon.

The 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. This initiative emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

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