United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of Stolen Firearms.

Timothy Tod Hartman, age 35, was indicted on July 20, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 29, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $8,000,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and up to $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on February 25, 2020, Hartman knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, which is a Schedule II controlled substance. 

On that same date, Hartman, who had been convicted of a crime punishable for a term exceeding one year, and being an unlawful user of a controlled substance, knowingly possessed firearms and ammunition.  One of the firearms is believed to be stolen.  Both firearms had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.  

The charges are merely accusations and Hartman is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity.  Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers.  It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department's past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Sioux Falls Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

Hartman was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.