Jonathan S. Featherstone, a 23-year-old from Council Bluffs, Iowa, is headed to federal prison after being caught with a loaded 9mm pistol — a weapon he had no legal right to carry. On December 13, 2016, Featherstone was sentenced to 33 months behind bars followed by three years of supervised release for the federal crime of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
The conviction stems from a routine traffic stop on February 17, 2016, when Council Bluffs Police pulled over a vehicle and made contact with Featherstone. During the encounter, officers discovered a loaded Walter P38 9mm pistol stashed in his backpack. The firearm was immediately seized, and Featherstone was taken into custody.
Featherstone’s criminal history sealed his fate. In July 2015, he was convicted of a prior felony offense, automatically barring him from possessing any firearms under federal law. Despite that, he chose to carry a loaded weapon in public — a decision that landed him squarely in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors.
On July 14, 2016, Featherstone pleaded guilty to the charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm in U.S. District Court. He admitted to knowing the gun was in his backpack and offered no defense against the evidence. Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey handed down the 33-month sentence, reflecting the seriousness of putting a loaded firearm in the hands of a convicted felon.
The case was a joint takedown by the Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Federal agents moved quickly to build a solid case, ensuring Featherstone couldn’t exploit loopholes. Prosecution was handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, with U.S. Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel overseeing the outcome.
Featherstone’s arrest and sentencing serve as a stark reminder: illegal gun possession doesn’t just put individuals at risk — it endangers entire communities. With over a year behind bars and federal supervision waiting on the other side, his choices have consequences. The message from law enforcement is clear — loaded guns and felony records don’t mix.
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