Former South Dakota Guardsman Sentenced for Embezzling Government Property

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Black Hawk, South Dakota man convicted of theft of government property was sentenced on September 25, 2013, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Dennis Mallow, age 47, was sentenced to 27 months in custody, three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $25,473.93, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Mallow pre-paid the restitution amount on September 17, 2013.

Mallow was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2012 for theft of government property and theft from agency receiving federal funds. He pled guilty to the theft of government property charge in May 2013.

The conviction stems from incidents that took place between October 1, 2009 and September 7, 2012, when Mallow served as a chief warrant officer and supervisory employee of the South Dakota Army National Guard at Camp Rapid in Rapid City, South Dakota. During that time, Mallow used his position as the warehouse supervisor at Camp Rapid to order numerous items, including toolboxes, tools, equipment, gear, and other property of the United States for his personal, unauthorized use. In total, Mallow stole and knowingly converted over $55,000 worth of government property, some of which was recovered.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the South Dakota Army National Guard. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen.

Mallow was ordered to self-surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service at 2:00 p.m. on September 26, 2013.