Joseph Fitzgerald, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Iowa 2024

MASON CITY, IA – A 64-year-old man with a history of violence is headed to federal prison after terrorizing a woman in her own home with a shotgun. Joseph Fitzgerald, of Mason City, Iowa, was sentenced today to 120 months – ten years – for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and domestic misdemeanant. The incident, which unfolded on November 23, 2022, left a disabled woman fearing for her life.

According to court documents, Fitzgerald leveled a shotgun at the woman he lived with and threatened to kill her. Thankfully, she was able to contact 911. When Mason City police arrived, Fitzgerald initially blocked their entry, delaying access to the victim. Officers eventually reached the woman, who was understandably shaken by the ordeal. The sheer callousness of the threat, combined with Fitzgerald’s extensive criminal past, painted a disturbing picture for investigators.

Fitzgerald isn’t a stranger to the inside of a jail cell. His rap sheet is shockingly long, including a staggering 13 assault convictions and eight convictions for driving while intoxicated. He also has prior convictions for domestic violence and illegal drugs. This wasn’t a first-time offender; it was a repeat offender with a clear pattern of escalating violence, now facing the consequences.

The case, investigated by the Mason City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Timmons. Chief U.S. District Judge Leonard T. Strand handed down the sentence in Sioux City, emphasizing that there is no parole in the federal system – Fitzgerald will serve the full ten years. He is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals awaiting transfer to a designated federal prison.

Federal authorities framed the prosecution as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. While PSN boasts evidence-based strategies and partnerships with local programs, the real message here is clear: those who resort to gun violence, especially against vulnerable individuals, will be aggressively prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by victims of domestic violence and the importance of swift and decisive action by law enforcement. The court file, case number 23-3009, is available for public review at ecf.iand.uscourts.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on X (formerly Twitter) at @USAO_NDIA for further updates.

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