SIOUX CITY, IA – Chance Rebel Nielsen, 23, of Sioux City, Iowa, has confessed to possessing firearms and ammunition despite being legally barred from doing so, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday. Nielsen’s guilty plea brings him one step closer to facing significant prison time for a pattern of behavior that puts the public at risk.
The case stems from a traffic stop on August 29, 2022, where officers discovered a Glock 9mm Luger, a .45 ACP handgun, and multiple rounds of ammunition in the vehicle Nielsen was riding in. Investigators quickly uncovered a prior felony conviction – Going Armed with Intent – handed down in Woodbury County, Iowa, on October 15, 2021. That conviction automatically disqualifies Nielsen from legally owning any firearms or ammunition.
The investigation didn’t stop there. Law enforcement found evidence placing Nielsen at Scheels in Sioux City on August 23, 2022, where he was seen with a Glock 9mm tucked into his waistband. He allegedly purchased ammunition at the store that matched the rounds found during the traffic stop. Digital evidence seized from Nielsen’s phone revealed a video of him firing a weapon at a gun range, alongside text messages detailing discussions about buying and selling firearms.
Nielsen’s actions aren’t isolated, but part of a larger federal initiative. The prosecution is being pursued under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program designed to reduce violent crime by targeting the most dangerous offenders and bolstering local prevention efforts. The program focuses on evidence-based strategies and community partnerships.
Currently, Nielsen is being held by the U.S. Marshals Service while awaiting sentencing before Chief U.S. District Judge Leonard T. Strand. A presentence report will be prepared to help determine the final sentence. He faces a potential maximum of 15 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, the Le Mars Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood is prosecuting the case. Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl (case file number 22-4077). Updates can be found on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
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