Michael Dean Hanus, Jr., Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Iowa 2024

A Clarion man has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm, despite his previous felony conviction.

Michael Dean Hanus, Jr., 45, was sentenced on July 22, 2024, to 52 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm by a prohibited person.

According to evidence presented at the plea and sentencing hearings, law enforcement in Wright County, Iowa were investigating elder abuse in October 2023. They received information that Hanus, Jr. possessed an AR-15 style rifle at his father's residence in Humboldt, Iowa, where he was living at the time.

An agent seized an HDR-15 rifle from Hanus, Jr., and later determined the firearm was stolen. Hanus, Jr. admitted to possession of the firearm, including his knowledge of his previous felony conviction, which prohibited his possession of any firearm.

Evidence also showed Hanus, Jr. had ten previous convictions for assault-based conduct over the past 20 years.

United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand presided over the sentencing hearing. As part of his sentence, Hanus, Jr. must serve a three-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment.

Hanus, Jr. is currently in the custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities across the country.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Wright County Sheriff's Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/wright-county-iowa-man-federal-prison-illegal-possession-firearm