Charles Dwayne Carter, Domestic Abuser, Iowa 2020

A convicted domestic abuser from Dubuque, Iowa, has been sentenced to over a year in federal prison after being found in possession of a firearm. Charles Dwayne Carter, 28, received the prison term after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted domestic abuser on August 6, 2019.

According to the indictment, Carter had two prior convictions for domestic abuse. In August 2018, he assaulted a woman by striking her in the face and arms, causing red marks, swelling, bruising, and pain. He also grabbed a towel rack and struck her in the face, causing a raised, red bump on her left eyebrow. Additionally, he strangled her, causing her to 'blackout' and hit her with a belt.

When police arrived, they found Carter hiding in the trunk of the victim's car. During the subsequent investigation, the police found a gun in Carter's dresser drawer. He was prohibited from possessing guns because of his prior convictions.

Carter was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams to 18 months' imprisonment. He must also serve a three-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), a program aimed at reducing violent crime. It was also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Dubuque Police Department, and the Dubuque County Sheriff's Office.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/police-find-gun-during-domestic-disturbance-investigation-leading-federal-prison-time