A Las Vegas man who scammed three South Dakota banks out of $34,500 through a debit-card scheme has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court.

Leo Ramsey, 39, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a crime of domestic violence.

Ramsey and a co-defendant, Aigner Angel, 24, of Columbus, Ohio, went to banks in Rapid City and Sioux Falls in November 2006, presenting pre-paid debit cards and asking for cash advances. When the cards were rejected because of a lack of money in the account, Angel supposedly called a number on the card to get authorization.

Instead, Angel called an accomplice who provided a false authorization and told the bank employees how to override the system, obtain authorization and make the cash advances.

Through the scheme, Ramsey and Angel received $24,500 from Black Hills Federal Credit Union in Rapid City, $5,000 from US Bank in Rapid City, and $5,000 from First Dakota National Bank in Sioux Falls, federal officials say.

Ramsey and Angel were originally indicted on three counts of bank fraud. In addition, Ramsey was indicted on two firearms charges.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Ramsey could face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. He will be sentenced March 3.

Angel pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to seven months in prison, four years of supervised release, and restitution of $27,500.

In other federal court news:

* Craig Cadotte, 26, and Wanda Crow, 33, both of Wakpala, were both sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles Kornmann to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release for methamphetamine distribution. Cadotte pleaded guilty to one of two counts of distribution of a controlled substance. Crow pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in connection with incidents that happened between June 1, 2005, and Feb. 15, 2006.

* Harlan Little Bear, 40, St. Francis, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier to 33 months in prison and two years of supervised release for assaulting a man with a board. Federal court documents show the incident happened between April 25 and April 29 in Todd County. Little Bear was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.

* Jacob Michael Pretty Sounding Flute, 24, Lower Brule, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor. Federal court documents show he admitted to having sex with a 14-year-old girl in Lower Brule on July 16, 2006. The maximum penalty is 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Pretty Sounding Flute was detained pending sentencing.

* Benjamin Loafer Sr., 47, Kyle, pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual abuse. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Loafer is accused of raping a woman in Kyle and in Wanblee in November 2004 and September 2007. The maximum penalty upon conviction is life in prison and a $250,000 fine. No trial date has been set.

* Cruz Esquivel Mendoza, also known as Daniel Esquivel, 29, no hometown listed, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance. According to federal court documents, the charges involve distribution of cocaine near Pine Ridge between 2002 and 2007. The maximum penalty upon conviction of conspiracy is a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with a maximum of life in prison and a $4 million fine. Distribution carries a 5-year mandatory minimum prison sentence, with a maximum of 40 years and a $2 million fine.

* Larry Jongewaard, 40, Omaha, Neb., pleaded not guilty to a charge of violating interstate communications law for allegedly making threats to kill his uncle, who lives in rural White River. The maximum penalty upon conviction is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He was detained pending trial.