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Miguel Lopez, a 31-year-old Fort Dodge man, is facing serious time after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm. On August 7, 2025, Lopez was caught dumping a 9mm pistol out of his car window during a traffic stop in Fort Dodge, Iowa. As a felon with four prior drug-related convictions, Lopez is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Lopez’s plea hearing took place on March 24, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City. He admitted to possessing the firearm, which was recovered by law enforcement after the traffic stop. The case was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Lopez’s guilty plea is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating violent crime and transnational criminal organizations. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Sentencing will be determined after a presentence report is prepared, and Lopez will remain in custody until then.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood. The public can access court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, with the case file number 25-CR-3045.