United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced on May 4 that Omot Musa Karlo, a Sioux Falls resident, was sentenced to one year and nine months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier handed down the sentence, which also includes three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Karlo’s sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address gun violence and enforce federal laws related to firearms possession by individuals with prior felony convictions. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative that combines resources from multiple agencies to combat violent crime and enhance community safety.
According to court documents, Karlo was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025 and pleaded guilty on January 12, 2026. On August 6, 2024, he fled from law enforcement while riding as a passenger in a vehicle that ultimately ended up in a ditch after its tire went flat. Karlo exited the vehicle during the pursuit and discarded a firearm while fleeing on foot before being apprehended.
Karlo was legally barred from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions involving firearms offenses. At the time of this incident, he was also serving federal supervised release for an earlier conviction.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota is responsible for enforcing federal laws and advancing community safety across the entire district according to its official website. The office handles both criminal prosecutions and civil cases as the chief federal law enforcement office according to its official website. Its work includes initiatives designed to improve public safety and quality of life throughout South Dakota according to its official website.
This case involved investigations by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.
After sentencing, Karlo was immediately remanded into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
