Fort Dodge Man Behind Bars for Illicit Firearms Possession

Fort Dodge Man Behind Bars for Illicit Firearms Possession

A 37-year-old man from Fort Dodge, Iowa, has been convicted of possessing firearms illegally, bringing the community one step closer to safety.

Matthew Knowles, a Fort Dodge native, pleaded guilty on May 3, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City to possessing a .380 ACP pistol and a .410 gauge shotgun on November 10, 2022. Knowles knowingly admitted to being a user of methamphetamine and marijuana, which further prohibited him from owning firearms.

This case is part of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities nationwide. The program focuses on fostering trust and legitimacy, supporting community-based organizations, and enforcing strategic priorities to keep neighborhoods safe.

Knowles’ sentencing will be decided after a presentence report is prepared. He remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. If convicted, Knowles faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.

According to the Department of Justice, the case file number is 23-3039. For more information, visit the court’s website at ecf.iand.uscourts.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa encourages the public to follow them on Twitter @USAO_NDIA for updates on this and other cases.

The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies and the DOJ to keeping communities safe from gun violence and illicit activities.

The Department of Justice’s PSN program continues to make strides in reducing violent crime and gun violence across the nation. As this case shows, the consequences of breaking the law are severe and will be vigorously prosecuted.