Sioux Empire Today

A Sioux Falls man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm. James Daniel Lathrop, 31, received his sentence from Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange on September 29, 2025. In addition to the prison term, Lathrop will serve three years of supervised release and must pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Lathrop was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2025 and pleaded guilty on July 7, 2025. The conviction is related to an incident that occurred on December 24, 2024, when law enforcement officers found him with a firearm and ammunition in Sioux Falls. Due to a previous felony conviction and his status as an unlawful user of controlled substances, Lathrop is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced the sentencing and noted that the case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.

"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," according to information provided in connection with this case.

After sentencing, Lathrop was immediately remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.