Department of Justice

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on January 31, 2023.

Sabione Bettelyoun, 38, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Bettelyoun was indicted for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. She pleaded guilty on October 14, 2022.

In February of 2022, in Rapid City, Bettelyoun, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, was found in possession of a SCCY, model CPX-1, 9mm Luger caliber, semi-automatic pistol, ARMSCOR .22 Long Rifle caliber ammunition, and Winchester 9mm Luger caliber ammunition, which was found after Bettelyoun came into contact with law enforcement. Bettelyoun also possessed methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.

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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Bettelyoun was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.