Rapid City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a Felon

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on June 26, 2026.

Rudolph Bissonette, 34, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Bissonette was indicted for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in December 2025. He pleaded guilty on April 15, 2026.

On October 15, 2025, law enforcement observed a vehicle committing a traffic violation. Bissonette was the driver. He had been drinking alcohol and had a blood alcohol content of .266%. Bissonette informed law enforcement there was a pistol in the vehicle. Law enforcement also found a round of ammunition in Bissonette's front-right pants pocket. Bissonette is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior convictions punishable beyond a year in prison. It is a federal felony to possess firearms or ammunition after a felony conviction.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pennington County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

Bissonette is to self-surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service at a date and time ordered by the Court.