Law enforcement agencies across Iowa have been making the area safer by addressing the problem of gun crime and violence. Acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry announced charges and arrests in seventeen recent federal gun cases at a press conference held at the United States Attorney’s Office. Berry was joined by Donald Dockendorf, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Thomas Reinwart, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Captain Dave Mohlis, Waterloo Police Department, Deputy Chief Thomas Jonker, Cedar Rapids Police Department, and Corporal James Hancox, Marion Police Department.
As Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently emphasized, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating, prosecuting, and deterring violent crime. Historically, gun violence and crime rise sharply as temperatures rise. With summer approaching, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force, Waterloo Federal Task Force, and all of our federal, state, and local partners to combat violent crime by prosecuting the most dangerous of criminal offenders, including those who unlawfully possess and use firearms.
Erwin Bell, 36, of Clinton, Iowa, has been charged with violating federal gun laws. Bell was charged with possessing a firearm as a felon after being convicted of seven separate felony offenses. The charges are contained in a complaint filed recently in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.
According to the complaint, on February 4, 2017, Bell possessed a loaded .22 caliber revolver. An officer with the Mount Vernon Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a car in which Bell was seated in the front passenger seat. During the course of the traffic stop, Bell assaulted the officer by striking him. Bell then fled on foot, and the officer pursued him. After the officer caught him, Bell continued to assault the officer, punching and kicking him in the face. Bell removed the officer’s baton and struck the officer with the baton in an attempt to gain access to the officer’s taser. Bell was eventually placed under arrest. During a search of the car, police located drug paraphernalia, baggies, a scale, marijuana, and cocaine.
Bell’s case file is 17-MJ-65. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime and prosecute those who unlawfully possess and use firearms.
The following individuals have also been charged with violating federal gun laws in recent weeks:
Gerraud Bruns, 26, of Dubuque, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of marijuana.
David Caldwell, 27, of Chicago, Illinois, has been charged with possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of marijuana.
Daniel Henriksen, 29, of Elgin, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Albert Gunnard Linne, 42, of Lowden, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Troy Postel-Vargason, 34, of Independence, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Nicodimus Coles, 21, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Derek Hines, 32, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
James Mitchell, 36, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Terrence Clark Shaffer, 23, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Darryl Williams, 29, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Willie Johnson, 45, of Waterloo, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Wayne Jones, 37, of Waterloo, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Dayton Myers, 20, of Waterloo, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Anntwan Dayshawn Phillips, 25, of Waterloo, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Jyshawn Robertson, 19, of Waterloo, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Eric Sallis, 26, of Waterloo, Iowa, has been charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime