A Sioux Falls man was sentenced on May 4 to one year and nine months in federal prison after being convicted of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, according to United States Attorney Ron Parsons. U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier handed down the sentence, which also includes three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address gun violence and enforce firearms laws. The U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota is the chief federal law enforcement office for its district, responsible for enforcing federal laws and advancing community safety, according to the official website.
Omot Musa Karlo, age 25, pleaded guilty in January after being indicted by a grand jury in February 2025. According to court documents, Karlo fled from law enforcement during an incident on August 6, 2024. He exited a vehicle during a police pursuit and discarded a firearm before being apprehended. Karlo was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions involving firearms and was on supervised release at the time.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and reducing violent crime through coordinated efforts among law enforcement agencies.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office covers all of South Dakota as its prosecutorial district according to its official website. The office handles both criminal prosecutions and civil cases while supporting initiatives that improve public safety according to its official website. It traces its roots back to 1861 according to its official website.
