Iowa Man Caught with Guns Despite Felony Convictions

A prohibited person who possessed firearms has been convicted in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Cedar Rapids resident Kyler Goettsch, age 26, pleaded guilty to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms. At the plea hearing, Goettsch admitted to possessing a Springfield pistol and a Sig Sauer pistol in November 2023, after having been convicted of four felonies and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

The federal charges against Goettsch stem from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a violent crime reduction program run by the Department of Justice. Through PSN, law enforcement agencies work together with local prevention and reentry programs to identify and address violent crime problems in their communities.

Goettsch faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Goettsch remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 24-16.

The federal government has made it clear that those who commit violent crimes will face severe consequences. This case is a stark reminder of the serious penalties associated with gun possession as a prohibited person.

Cedar Rapids resident Kyler Goettsch’s guilty plea is a significant blow to those who seek to skirt the law and carry firearms despite their felony convictions. As law enforcement continues to crack down on violent crime, cases like Goettsch’s serve as a cautionary tale for those who would seek to follow in his footsteps.

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