WATERLOO, IA – Larry Jones, 62, of Waterloo, Iowa, is facing up to 25 years in federal prison after a jury convicted him Wednesday of possessing a sawed-off shotgun and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The conviction comes after a two-day trial in Cedar Rapids federal court, detailing a brazen display of the weapon during a neighborhood dispute.
The trouble began September 7, 2022, when Jones reportedly got into an argument with another individual. Witnesses testified that Jones retreated into his home and re-emerged brandishing the heavily modified shotgun. A bystander captured the scene on a cellphone video, providing crucial evidence for investigators. The weapon, later recovered from behind Jones’ property, had a barrel length of just 13 inches – well below the legal 18-inch minimum.
Waterloo Police Department officers responded to reports of the firearm and, after questioning Jones, were directed to the hidden weapon. Jones admitted to wrapping the shotgun in a tarp and discarding it behind his house. Federal authorities quickly took over, recognizing the severity of the charges given Jones’ extensive criminal history. This wasn’t his first brush with the law; court records reveal Jones has two prior felony burglary convictions.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Nagin and Anthony Morfitt successfully argued that Jones knowingly violated federal law by possessing the illegal firearm. The prosecution presented the video evidence and the recovered shotgun, leaving little doubt in the jury’s mind. Following just one hour of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict on both counts. Jones was immediately taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and will remain jailed pending sentencing.
Beyond the potential prison time, Jones could also face a $500,000 fine and six years of supervised release. The case was a collaborative effort, investigated by a federal task force comprised of the Waterloo Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with support from the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department. This investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence across the nation.
The case, filed as 23-CR-2015, underscores the ATF’s commitment to removing dangerous weapons from the hands of convicted felons. Judge C.J. Williams will set a sentencing date after a pre-sentence report is completed. Those seeking more information about the case can follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on X (formerly Twitter) at @USAO_NDIA.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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