South Dakota man loses appeal after being convicted of terroristic threats against President Trump

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced the South Dakota Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction and sentence of a South Dakota man after an attempted threat of felony terrorism.

“Threats against the President of the United States and public officials are taken seriously,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We will continue to prosecute individuals who seek to harm or intimidate public officials and their families.”

According to court docs, Lucian Celestine first contacted the FBI in September 2019, claiming he was hearing voices instructing him to kill President Trump.

In June 2020, Celestine attempted to purchase a sniper-style rifle through an online marketplace and requested a scope capable of shooting up to 600 yards.

The rifle’s seller was a Brookings Police Officer acting as a private citizen and became concerned about Celestine’s behavior. The officer reported the interaction to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

Police later contacted Celestine as President Trump was due to visit Mount Rushmore for the 2020 Independence Day fireworks celebration. During the encounter, Celestine said he had contacted the FBI and admitted he had recently obtained a rifle.

Officers located a rifle, ammunition, and targets in the truck of his vehicle.

After being taken into custody in Rapid City, Celestine told investigators that the voices in his head instructed him to kill the President. He told police of a plan to go to Mount Rushmore and position himself above the monument.

He was then arrested and indicted for threat of felony terrorism.

Celestine entered a guilty plea in November 2024 for Attempted Threat of Felony Terrorism. In March 2024, the Pennington County Circuit Court sentenced him to two and a half years in the South Dakota Penitentiary with credit for time served.

Celestine later appealed his conviction and sentence, but the South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the circuit court’s sentence.