Austin Rockwood, Gun Possession by Felon, Iowa 2022

Grimy Times has learned that a Sioux City man has been sentenced to federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm. 21-year-old Austin Rockwood, a three-time convicted felon, received a 6-year prison term on January 12, 2022.

According to evidence in the case, Rockwood was discovered to have possessed a firearm on February 11, 2021. He was spotted following an unmarked law enforcement unit and fled the scene in a car with the firearm. Rockwood recklessly disregarded the rules of the road and the safety of the motoring public before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot with the loaded firearm in hand.

Rockwood’s violent criminal history includes a 2017 conviction for willful injury causing serious injury, a 2019 conviction for domestic abuse assault, and a 2019 conviction for burglary. During the burglary, Rockwood and another individual forced their way into an occupied structure, and while defendant physically attacked the victim, the other man – defendant’s confederate – threatened the victim with a gun.

Rockwood was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 72 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild. Rockwood is currently being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

**MANDATORY FACTS**

Defendant: Austin Rockwood, 21, Sioux City, Iowa

Criminal Charges: Possession of a firearm by a felon

City and State: Sioux City, Iowa

Date: January 12, 2022 (sentencing)

Sentence: 72 months’ imprisonment, 3-year term of supervised release

Case File Number: 21-CR-4049

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