Sioux Empire Today

A woman from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the illegal purchase of a firearm. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell.

“Keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are legally prohibited from possessing them is a top priority at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “As this case demonstrates, lying to obtain a firearm for a convicted felon can have grave consequences. We are therefore committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to hold straw purchasers to account.”

Chardea Danies Odom, 30, was indicted in August 2025 and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on August 14, where she pleaded not guilty.

According to the indictment, Odom bought a firearm from a licensed dealer in June 2025 and falsely stated that she was purchasing it for herself when it was actually intended for another individual. The firearm was later used by someone prohibited from owning guns in shootings in Sioux Falls that included an incident involving law enforcement officers.

“This is how innocent people get hurt and officers end up staring down the barrel of a gun,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle. “When you straw purchase a firearm for a convicted felon, you are not just breaking the law, you are placing lives at risk. ATF will continue to pursue anyone who arms dangerous individuals. We are proud to stand beside the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Sioux Falls Police Department, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation on this case and the issue of straw purchasing.”

Sioux Falls Police Department Chief Jon Thum expressed appreciation for collaboration among agencies: “The Sioux Falls Police Department thanks our State and Federal partners for their support in holding the suspects accountable for their actions,” he said. “This event highlights the danger faced by the public and our officers when firearms end up in the wrong hands.”

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley noted: “This defendant’s actions led to the lives of three law enforcement officers being threatened,” he said. “The investigation and arrest of this defendant was made possible thanks to the combined effort of several agencies.”

If convicted on both counts—False Statement During Purchase of Firearm and False Statement to Licensed Firearm Dealer—Odom faces maximum penalties including up to 10 years in federal custody plus fines for one charge, and up to five years plus fines for another charge; both carry possible supervised release periods and mandatory fees or restitution.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading the investigation into this matter while Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson will prosecute.

Odom has been released on bond pending trial; no date has yet been set for proceedings. She remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.