Waterloo Shooter Leon Jackson Sentenced to Over Seven Years

Waterloo, IA – In a gritty turn of justice, Leon Orlando Jackson, 44, from Waterloo, Iowa, has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison following his conviction for two shooting incidents and firearm possession. The sentence, handed down on September 1, 2020, marks the culmination of a case that has shocked the local community.

Jackson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, a charge stemming from his March 3, 2020, guilty plea. His prior convictions include possession of a stolen auto, felony firearms possession, and cocaine possession. His first firearms offense was a federal conviction out of Indiana.

The defendant’s involvement in two shootings on April 23, 2017, in Waterloo left one victim with a leg injury. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle, who secured the sentence of 87 months’ imprisonment for Jackson. Following his release from prison, he must serve a three-year term of supervised release – there is no parole in the federal system.

United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams presided over the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of Jackson’s actions and their impact on the community. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which focuses on reducing violent crime through comprehensive solutions developed in partnership with local stakeholders. Additionally, it is a component of Project Guardian, an initiative to combat gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

Jackson, currently held by the United States Marshal’s service until transportation to a federal prison can be arranged, awaits his fate amidst the efforts of law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, including the Waterloo Police Department, FBI, ATF, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, and Cedar Falls Police Department.

For more information on this case, visit the court file, or follow updates on Twitter @USAO_NDIA. The case file number is 19-cr-2036.