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Tony Ray Pledge, a 58-year-old felon from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was caught with a loaded gun and drugs during a traffic stop in August 2025. Pledge, who has a prior federal felony conviction for possessing a firearm as a felon, was driving in Cedar Rapids when law enforcement stopped his car and found a loaded firearm, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana. This latest offense led to his guilty plea on February 12, 2026, and ultimately, his sentencing to 18 months in federal prison. Pledge’s history of drug-related convictions and a conviction for assault made his latest crime all the more egregious.
The case against Pledge was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Marion Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake prosecuted the case, which was part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating violent crime and transnational criminal organizations.
Pledge’s sentencing, handed down by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams, includes 18 months of imprisonment, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. With no parole in the federal system, Pledge will serve his time and then face close monitoring upon his release.
The outcome of Pledge’s case serves as a reminder of the consequences of possessing a firearm as a felon. It also highlights the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in combating crime and protecting communities.
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