Felon in Possession of Firearms Sends Davenport Man Behind Bars
Davenport, IA – A brazen display of disregard for the law has landed a young Davenport man in federal prison. Willie James Powell Jr., a 22-year-old with a history of run-ins with the law, has been sentenced to 57 months behind bars for being a felon in possession of firearms.
Powell’s troubles began on September 2, 2020, when Davenport Police responded to a report of suspicious activity in the area of West 8th Street. Officers soon found a vehicle associated with the incident and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled, leading police on a high-speed chase through residential streets. The vehicle eventually crashed, and Powell, a passenger, was taken into custody.
During the search of the vehicle, police discovered two firearms: a Glock nine-millimeter pistol and a H&K nine-millimeter pistol. Powell, a convicted felon, knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms. On April 19, 2021, he pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing both guns.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey handed down the sentence, ordering Powell to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal announced the sentencing, crediting the Davenport Police Department for their tireless efforts in bringing Powell to justice.
Powell’s case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of breaking the law. As a convicted felon, he knew the risks of possessing firearms, but his actions demonstrate a callous disregard for the safety of his community. With this sentence, Justice has been served, and the people of Davenport can rest a little easier knowing that one more violent offender is off the streets.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa will continue to prioritize the safety of our communities and work tirelessly to bring perpetrators like Powell to justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Council Bluffs Man Cops to Gun Charge · Iowa
- Jashawn Bailey Cops Gun Charge Over Firearm with Scrubbed Serial · Iowa
- Cedar Rapids Felon Davies Guilty of Gun Possession · Iowa
- Waterloo Felon Todd Goodson Gets 9+ Years for Gun Possession · Iowa
- Edward Whitney Gets 41 Months for Felon Gun Possession · Iowa
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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