Charles City Gun Cache: Randy Patrie Faces Life Behind Bars

CHARLES CITY, IA – Randy Patrie, 40, is facing a potential life sentence after being indicted on multiple federal firearms charges stemming from a July 4th raid on his Charles City, Iowa home. The bust revealed a staggering cache of over 20 firearms, many linked to a brazen burglary of Gilbert’s Sale Yard in rural Floyd, Iowa.

According to a July 23, 2013 indictment filed in the United States District Court in Cedar Rapids, Patrie is accused of stealing firearms from Gilbert’s Sale Yard on May 2, 2013, and subsequently possessing those stolen weapons. But the charges don’t stop there. He’s also facing counts for being a felon in possession of firearms, and, alarmingly, being designated an Armed Career Criminal – a label reserved for repeat offenders with a history of violent crimes or serious drug offenses.

The Charles City Police Department initially searched Patrie’s residence while investigating a separate burglary on July 4th. That search quickly turned up the guns stolen from Gilbert’s Sale Yard. Investigators allege Patrie confessed to the Gilbert’s Sale Yard burglary, admitting he pilfered the firearms and knew he was legally prohibited from owning them due to his extensive criminal record. Court records show Patrie’s past includes convictions for Attempted Burglary in the 2nd degree (September 24, 1991, Mitchell County), Delivery of Methamphetamine (May 28, 1996, Floyd County), and Burglary 3rd Degree (May 27, 2003, Floyd County).

The indictment details four specific counts: stealing firearms (Count 1), possessing stolen firearms (Count 2), being a felon in possession of firearms – including the stolen guns and three others – and qualifying as an Armed Career Criminal (Count 3). Adding to the severity, Count 4 alleges Patrie was also in possession of two illegally modified sawed-off shotguns. Federal prosecutors are building a case that paints Patrie as a dangerous and habitual offender.

If convicted on all counts, Patrie could face a maximum sentence of life in prison, alongside a $1 million fine, $400 in special assessments, and an additional 14 years of supervised release after serving his time. Assistant United States Attorney C.J. Williams is prosecuting the case, with a multi-agency investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Charles City Police Department, and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation, and Patrie is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Court file information, including case number 13-cr-2016, is publicly accessible at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.