Chevelle Manuel Daudinot, Jr., Gun Possession, Iowa 2022

A disturbing case of gun possession has landed a 27-year-old Cedar Rapids man in federal prison for five years. Chevelle Manuel Daudinot, Jr., bought 31 firearms between August 2020 and April 2021, violating federal law by lying about his marijuana use on gun-buying paperwork.

According to a guilty plea agreement and sentencing information, Daudinot falsely stated he was not an unlawful user of marijuana on the paperwork for all 31 firearms. In reality, he bought at least 24 guns for other people, leaving only three firearms in his possession when law enforcement searched his residence in May 2021.

Daudinot’s cell phone contained text messages about his firearms dealings, including soliciting firearms, negotiating prices, and setting meetings to exchange guns. Other messages revealed that he was not only using marijuana but also distributing it. Four of the guns purchased by Daudinot were recovered during other investigations, including one linked to a homicide in Chicago in March 2021.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an evidence-based program aimed 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

Daudinot, 27, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. He was released on bond and is set to surrender to the United States Marshal on May 27, 2022.

Defendant: Chevelle Manuel Daudinot, Jr.

Criminal Charge: Possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance.

City and State: Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Exact Date: December 9, 2021 (guilty plea) and May 13, 2022 (sentencing).

Sentence: 60 months’ imprisonment (5 years) and 3 years of supervised release.

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