Maxwell, Harden Guilty in Waterloo Armed Robbery

Gunfire and fear defined the moments when Antione Maxwell, 33, of Mason City, Iowa, pressed a firearm to a victim’s head during a violent robbery in Waterloo. Alongside Chavee Harden, 32, of Waterloo, Maxwell executed a coordinated heist on November 4, 2020, stealing marijuana products, cash, and cell phones at gunpoint. The robbery, targeting two local residents, ripped through the quiet of the neighborhood with brutal precision.

A federal jury in Cedar Rapids wasted no time reaching justice, convicting both men after just four hours of deliberation. The trial, spanning four days, exposed the chilling details: Maxwell brandished the weapon, while Harden played a critical role in the conspiracy. They were found guilty on one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

Maxwell faces additional, steeper consequences. Convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, he could serve up to 10 years behind bars, pay a $250,000 fine, and endure three years of supervised release. Even more severe is the third conviction—using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence—which brings a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a possible life sentence, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release.

Physical evidence sealed their fate. Prosecutors proved the stolen items were recovered from Harden’s residence and inside Maxwell’s car, parked directly in front of Harden’s house the day after the robbery. Testimony painted a clear picture of collaboration, with both men leveraging fear and firepower to profit from violence. No plea deals. No excuses. Just a jury’s verdict after hearing it all.

Both men were taken into custody immediately after the verdict by the United States Marshal’s Service. Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Court Judge C.J. Williams, pending a presentence investigation report. Until then, they remain locked up, awaiting the full weight of federal justice.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dillan Edwards and Patrick Reinert, with investigative work led by the Waterloo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was brought under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the DOJ’s flagship initiative targeting violent offenders. Case number 21-CR-2013. Court records available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Follow @USAO_NDIA for updates.

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