Alan Scott Lawton, Firearm Offense, Iowa 2023

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Defendant Caught in Gun Chase, Sentenced to Prison

Council Bluffs, IA – In a dramatic turn of events, Alan Scott Lawton, 42, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

On February 15, 2023, Lawton pleaded guilty to the offense and will serve three years of supervised release after his prison term. The sentence was handed down by a federal judge in Council Bluffs.

The incident that led to Lawton’s arrest began on June 8, 2022, when law enforcement observed him putting items in a storage unit. Lawton fled the scene in his Jeep, driving through a security fence and then taking off on foot.

A short chase ensued, and Lawton was eventually apprehended by law enforcement. Along his flight path, officers located a loaded pistol that had been reported stolen.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing. The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities. PSN brings together law enforcement and community organizations to prevent violence and make neighborhoods safer.

The program is based on core principles, including fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting focused enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

Lawton’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences of firearm offenses in Iowa. The case highlights the importance of community policing and collaboration between law enforcement agencies to keep communities safe.