Department of Justice

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Person was sentenced on July 13, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Brian Christopher Jensen, age 37, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Jensen was indicted for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury on January 7, 2020. He pled guilty on April 20, 2020.

On or about the 23rd day of December, 2019, in the District of South Dakota, Jensen, knowing that he was a convicted felon, illegally possessed fourteen guns and more than 800 rounds of ammunition that had been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce.

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 local communities 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: www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-announces-launch-project-guardian-nationwide-strategic-plan.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara P. Nash prosecuted the case.

Jensen was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

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