Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell has announced the sentencing of Randy Harlan Arcoren Jr., a 42-year-old man from Saint Francis, South Dakota. Arcoren was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte to two and a half years in federal prison for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The sentencing occurred on May 27, 2025.
Following his prison term, Arcoren will undergo three years of supervised release and is required to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Arcoren's legal troubles began with an indictment by a federal grand jury in June 2024, leading to his guilty plea on February 26, 2025. The conviction is linked to an incident in January 2024 on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Law enforcement discovered two firearms—a revolver and a shotgun—in Arcoren's bedroom during an unrelated visit to his home on January 4, 2024. Additionally, they found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Arcoren has previous felony convictions: robbery in 2006 and prohibited person in possession of ammunition in 2015, making it illegal for him to possess firearms or ammunition. Consequently, he will forfeit ownership of the firearms to the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy enhancing PSN with principles such as fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.
Arcoren was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
