Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a man from Rapid City, South Dakota, who was convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing occurred on August 15, 2025.
Jayquan Flying Horse, 20, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Flying Horse was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in February 2025. He pleaded guilty on May 5, 2025.
In December 2024, Rapid City police officers arrived at an apartment building in Rapid City for a weapons call. Flying Horse and two others were exiting the building when the police arrived. When officers asked for identification, Flying Horse attempted to avoid them and refused to identify himself. While an officer was attempting to identify Flying Horse, Flying Horse admitted he was carrying a Taurus, 9mm caliber, semi-automatic pistol. Flying Horse had previously been convicted of a felony, was on parole for a felony drug conviction, and knew that he was prohibited from possessing firearms pursuant to his parole agreement.
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. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Flying Horse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.