⏱ 2 min read
Austin Andrew Goodman, a 42-year-old man from Dubuque, Iowa, tried to enter a city council meeting armed with a loaded firearm on March 3, 2025. Goodman, who was wearing a suit, had an American flag on his shoulders, tape over his mouth, and was accompanied by his two dogs on leashes. He was live streaming his entry into the building on Facebook. The incident led to his conviction by a jury on August 11, 2026, after a one-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Goodman was found guilty of possessing a firearm while prohibited due to a previous commitment to a mental institution. The case was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Dubuque Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The conviction is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating violent crime and protecting communities. Goodman remains in custody pending sentencing, which will be set after a presentence report is prepared. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle. The court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, with the case file number being 25-cr-1039.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Iowa
- Location: IA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
