Randy Patrie, 44, of Charles City, Iowa, is headed back to federal prison for 20 years after pleading guilty to possessing sawed-off shotguns and being a felon in possession of firearms. The sentence, handed down September 6, 2013, marks the latest chapter in a violent criminal saga that once earned Patrie a life term — now legally unattainable.
Patrie originally received a life sentence in an earlier prosecution, but that penalty was overturned on appeal following a Supreme Court decision in an unrelated case. That ruling reshaped sentencing parameters, stripping the court of authority to impose life imprisonment. With the maximum penalty now capped at 20 years, U.S. District Chief Judge Linda R. Reade in Cedar Rapids imposed the harshest sentence allowed: 240 months behind bars.
In addition to the prison term, Patrie was hit with a $200 special assessment and will face a mandatory 3-year supervised release upon completion of his sentence. Federal law offers no parole, meaning Patrie will serve every day of his term unless future legal action intervenes. He remains in U.S. Marshal custody, awaiting transfer to a federal penitentiary.
The firearms at the center of the case included illegally modified sawed-off shotguns — weapons favored in underground crime due to their concealability and firepower. Possession of such weapons by a convicted felon is a serious federal offense, triggering aggressive prosecution under U.S. sentencing guidelines.
Law enforcement agencies from across northeastern Iowa联合ed to build the case. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Chickasaw and Floyd County Sheriff’s Offices, and Charles City Police Department all played critical roles in gathering evidence and executing arrests. Their collaboration underscores the reach of federal firearm enforcement even in rural jurisdictions.
Public court records are accessible via the Northern District of Iowa’s electronic filing system at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov. The case, filed under 13-CR-2016, remains a stark reminder that past convictions don’t expire — they compound. Follow updates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Iowa, on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
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