Ceeron Tearrence Williams, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Iowa 2021

DES MOINES, Iowa - In a brazen act of gun violence, Ceeron Tearrence Williams, 29, fired nine gunshots from a pistol while standing near the storefront of a Des Moines Kum & Go store on January 21, 2018, striking his intended victim with seven of his gunshots, including in the abdomen and hips.

The victim, whose identity was not disclosed, survived the shooting. Williams, who had been previously convicted of a felony, was subsequently charged with Attempted Murder, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent, and related state charges.

In September 2020, a Polk County jury acquitted Williams of Attempted Murder but convicted him of several less severe charges. The federal indictment followed, charging Williams with felon in possession of ammunition. United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Ceeron Tearrence Williams to 120 months in prison for the felony conviction.

The federal sentence, which is the maximum term allowed by law for this conviction, was ordered to run consecutive to Williams' undischarged state term of prison. There is no parole in the federal criminal justice system.

Williams was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term. The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal applauded the work of local partners at the Polk County Attorney's Office in pursuing justice for the victim in this case. 'Our office will continue to invest federal resources when necessary to ensure violent criminals face sufficient punishment for their crimes and to protect the community,' Westphal said.

The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of Project Safe Neighborhood, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Defendant: Ceeron Tearrence Williams

Criminal Charges: Felon in Possession of Ammunition

City and State: Des Moines, Iowa

Exact Date: September 10, 2021

Sentence: 120 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/des-moines-kum-go-shooter-sentenced-ten-years-federal-prison