Rapid City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Firearm Charge

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a man from Rapid City, South Dakota, convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 7, 2025.

Andrew Cortes, 30, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Cortes was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in February 2025. He pleaded guilty on May 23, 2025.

On December 12, 2024, Rapid City police officers initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Cortes was a passenger for a traffic violation. As soon as the vehicle came to a stop, Cortes fled the scene. Law enforcement pursued Cortes on foot and apprehended him. Cortes had a pistol in his possession during the pursuit, and it dropped from him when law enforcement apprehended him. Cortes was previously convicted for a felony crime. Possessing a firearm after such a conviction is a federal felony offense.

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 (ATF) and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

Cortes was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.