Sioux Falls felon Dallas Joseph Bluebird III sentenced to nearly three years following convenience store shootout

Dallas Joseph Bluebird III received a 33-month prison sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm following a 2024 shootout in Sioux Falls.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 11:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Sentence Imposed Following Urban Gunfire Exchange

The U.S. District Court for South Dakota has finalized the sentencing of Dallas Joseph Bluebird III, a Sioux Falls resident found guilty of possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction. During a hearing presided over by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, Bluebird was ordered to serve 33 months in federal custody. The sentencing concludes a legal process that began after a violent public encounter, highlighting the federal government's continued focus on prosecuting prohibited persons who contribute to regional gun violence.

Convenience Store Altercation Leads to DNA Identification

The charges against Bluebird originated from a high-risk incident on June 30, 2024, when he and another male engaged in a broad-daylight shootout outside a convenience store in Sioux Falls. While the exchange involved multiple rounds of ammunition, investigators confirmed that no individuals were struck by the gunfire. Bluebird fled the vicinity before law enforcement arrived, but his escape was short-lived. Forensic teams successfully recovered DNA from a firearm abandoned at the scene, allowing investigators to definitively link the weapon to Bluebird.

Prohibited Status Stemming from Previous Escape Conviction

Bluebird’s possession of the handgun was a direct violation of federal law due to his established criminal history. Records indicate that he was legally barred from carrying any firearm following a 2023 conviction for second-degree escape. This prohibited status formed the basis of his November 2024 indictment by a federal grand jury. Following his guilty plea in January 2026, the court determined that a significant term of imprisonment was necessary to address the reckless nature of his participation in the June shootout.