Department of Justice

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man and woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence, and Transfer of a Firearm to a Prohibited Person.

David Charles Peters, age 40, and Molly Lynn Lorang, age 50, were indicted on January 7, 2020.  They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on January 24, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Defendant.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about October 6, 2019, Peters, who had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and having previously been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, knowingly possessed two firearms which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.

The Indictment also alleges that between July 5, 2019, and October 6, 2019, Lorang knowingly sold and otherwise disposed of a firearm to Peters, knowing that Peters had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and having previously been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department's past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

The charges are merely accusations and Peters and Lorang are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

Both Peters and Lorang were released on bond pending trial which has been set for March 31, 2020.

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