COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Garret Allen Horgdal, 39, of Henderson, Iowa, is headed to federal prison for seven years after admitting to a dangerous and illegal act: possessing firearms while legally barred from doing so. Horgdal received an 84-month sentence on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, following a guilty plea to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. When he finally gets out, he’ll be under the watchful eye of supervised release for another three years.
The trouble started on March 8, 2022, when a Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy pulled Horgdal over. What the deputy found wasn’t a routine traffic violation – it was a cache of three loaded firearms. This wasn’t a hunting trip gone wrong; Horgdal knew damn well he wasn’t allowed to have those weapons. His prior felony convictions and documented history of drug use made him legally prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa didn’t mince words when announcing the sentencing. This wasn’t just about guns; it was about keeping dangerous individuals from getting their hands on them. The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Mills County Sheriff’s Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, clearly demonstrated Horgdal’s disregard for the law.
The case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve. PSN isn’t just about arrests and convictions; it’s about building trust, supporting community organizations, and focusing enforcement where it’s needed most. The Department of Justice revamped PSN in May 2021, emphasizing a strategy built on community engagement and measurable results.
Horgdal’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while prohibited carries serious consequences. The investigation and prosecution were a clear signal that authorities are actively working to remove dangerous weapons from the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. The streets of Henderson, and the wider Southern District of Iowa, are a little safer now that Horgdal is behind bars.
The 84-month sentence isn’t just about punishment; it’s about protecting the public. With a history of both felony convictions and drug use, Horgdal presented a clear and present danger. The combined efforts of multiple agencies ensured that he will be held accountable for his actions, and hopefully, prevented further harm to the community. The three years of supervised release following his prison term will provide continued monitoring and support to prevent recidivism.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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