Rapid City Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on July 13, 2026.

Aaron England, 30, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

England was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in January 2025. He pleaded guilty on April 13, 2026.

On July 23, 2024, in Rapid City, SD, law enforcement initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle England was driving. England failed to immediately stop. He later parked the car and fled from law enforcement on foot. On the floorboard of the driver's side, law enforcement found a stolen pistol along with drug paraphernalia, which England had been in possession of before fleeing. England was later caught and arrested. England had been convicted of a crime punishable beyond a year in prison. As a result, he was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

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 Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

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