Daniel Smith, Illegal Possession of Firearms, Iowa 2025

Fort Dodge Man Sentenced for Gun Crime

A Fort Dodge man has been sentenced to 39 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms.

Daniel Smith, 38, was sentenced on October 8, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City. Smith had previously pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of firearms on May 20, 2025.

Smith was previously convicted of Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons in 2017 and Dominion/Control of Firearm/Offensive Weapon by a Felon in 2022, both in Iowa. These convictions prohibit a person from possessing any firearm.

According to evidence presented at the plea and sentencing hearings, Smith possessed three firearms, including a .22 rifle, a .410 shotgun, and a 16-gauge shotgun, in November 2024. Law enforcement observed evidence of a shotgun being fired at Smith's residence on November 16, 2024.

During a follow-up search warrant on November 21, 2024, law enforcement seized the three firearms and Smith admitted to receiving them and firing two of the firearms to test their functioning.

Smith was sentenced to 39 months' imprisonment and must serve a term of 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Smith remains in the custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/fort-dodge-man-federal-prison-illegal-possession-firearms