DENISON, IA – Ian Ward, 37, of Denison, Iowa, is facing a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years after pleading guilty on July 2, 2024, to a trifecta of federal charges: being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession of silencers. The case, stemming from a late-night traffic stop last August, reveals a dangerous combination of illegal weaponry and heavy drug use.
The bust went down on August 21, 2023, in Pocahontas County. A deputy pulled Ward over and quickly determined the driver was significantly impaired – Ward himself admitted to being high on fentanyl. The search of his vehicle didn’t stop there. Authorities discovered a veritable armory: six traditional firearms, including one illegally modified short-barreled rifle, and multiple silencer/suppressor devices. It wasn’t just guns, though. The vehicle also contained methamphetamine, THC wax, and the tools to use them, painting a clear picture of a man deeply entrenched in a life of substance abuse and illegal activity.
Ward’s history further complicates matters. He confessed to a prior felony drug conviction in Minnesota and a current pattern of drug use, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana. This combination – a felony record and active drug use – legally barred him from possessing any firearms in the first place. The evidence presented at the plea hearing left no doubt as to the severity of the offenses.
This case is being prosecuted under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. Launched in 2021, the program focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and tracking results – a multi-pronged approach to tackling the root causes of crime.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will determine Ward’s fate after a presentence report is completed. Currently, Ward remains in the custody of the United States Marshal. A conviction on the prohibited firearm charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Each of the illegal firearm/silencer convictions could add another 10 years, along with a $10,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde is leading the prosecution, with investigative work conducted by the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, case file number 23-3024. For updates, follow the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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