Alta Man, Taxavier Ford, Faces 15 Years for Gun Possession

SIOUX CITY, IA – Taxavier Ford, 29, of Alta, Iowa, admitted to illegally packing heat, pleading guilty August 11, 2025, in federal court to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The conviction is just the latest in a pattern of criminal behavior for Ford, who already has two prior convictions that should have kept him far away from weaponry.

Court records reveal Ford was previously convicted in Indiana in 2017 of possessing a narcotic drug. Then, in 2021, the Iowa District Court for Buena Vista County found him guilty of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Both convictions, naturally, barred him from owning or possessing any firearm. Yet, on March 14, 2025, Ford was caught red-handed in Storm Lake, Iowa.

According to the DOJ, Storm Lake police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Ford due to illegal window tint. During the stop, officers discovered the tint exceeded legal limits and, more importantly, detected the distinct odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A search of Ford and the vehicle turned up a loaded firearm tucked into his waistband. Ford readily admitted to carrying the weapon, sealing his fate.

This case isn’t just about one man and one gun. It’s part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide initiative aiming to reduce violent crime and gun violence by coordinating law enforcement at all levels. The feds are touting a new approach focusing on community trust, supporting local organizations, and targeted enforcement. Whether that makes a difference on the streets remains to be seen.

Adding another layer to the operation, this case also falls under “Operation Take Back America,” a broad-stroke initiative designed to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels, and target transnational criminal organizations. The DOJ is throwing everything but the kitchen sink at these problems, streamlining resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and PSN. It’s a massive undertaking, and Ford is just one small piece of it.

Ford remains free on bond pending sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand, who will set a date after a presentence report is completed. He’s facing a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, a hefty $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. The investigation was led by the Storm Lake Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit. Court file information can be found here (case file number 25-4028). Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on X @USAO_NDIA.