Rapid City Man Sentenced on Firearm Charge

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. Chief District Judge Roberto A. Lange 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 April 26, 2024.

Tristan Alvie Habben, 22, was sentenced to three years and two 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.

Habben was indicted for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October of 2023. He pleaded guilty on January 31, 2024.

The charge relates to Habben, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, knowingly being in possession of a Taurus model PT740, .40 Smith & Wesson caliber, semi-automatic pistol and rounds of Winchester .40 Smith & Wesson caliber ammunition in Rapid City in August of 2023.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

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