SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schrier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of possession of a stolen firearm following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Sioux Falls probe. The sentencing took place on November 20, 2024.
Tanner Lee Hershman, 29, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Hershman was indicted for possession of a stolen firearm and felon in possession of a firearm by a federal grand jury in April 2024. He pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm in August 2024.
“Possessing stolen firearms and allowing convicted felons to arm themselves poses a grave threat to public safety,” said HSI St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Jamie Holt. “This case highlights the importance of strict enforcement of our firearms laws and the dedication of law enforcement agencies to remove illegal firearms from our communities. Our commitment to ensuring that those who engage in these dangerous behaviors are held accountable remains steadfast.”
On December 21, 2023, officers were called to a residence in Sioux Falls for a report of a domestic disturbance. The reporting party alleged that she had been assaulted by Hershman inside the residence that evening. In speaking with the reporting party, law enforcement learned that Hershman, a convicted felon, was also in possession of a firearm. A Glock model 44, semi-automatic pistol was subsequently located in the garage of the residence and confirmed to be a firearm reported stolen in October 2023. Through investigation, detectives discovered that Hershman had stolen the firearm from the gun owner’s vehicle on Oct. 8, 2023.
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 HSI and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Beau J. Blouin prosecuted the case.
Hershman was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Learn more about HSI St. Paul’s mission to fight weapons trafficking within your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSIStPaul.