Tea Man Convicted of Harboring and Providing a Firearm to a Fugitive

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that William Stegmeier, age 56, of Tea, South Dakota, was convicted Friday, October 7, of concealing a person from arrest and providing a firearm to a prohibited person as a result of a federal jury trial in Sioux Falls. Concealing a person from arrest carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Providing a firearm to a prohibited person carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.

The federal jury found that Stegmeier harbored Thomas R. Kelley of Salem, South Dakota, who failed to appear at his August 23, 2010, federal sentencing hearing. The jury also found that Stegmeier provided Kelley with a .357 revolver. Kelley had been previously convicted on 22 separate federal tax and related financial crimes. Kelley was apprehended after being located in Wood Lake, Minnesota, on December 22, 2010.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Marshals Service, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Koliner. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for December 5, 2011.

The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.