Michael Turner, Felony Possession of a Firearm, Iowa 2025

FORT DODGE, Iowa - A Fort Dodge man has pleaded guilty to felony possession of a firearm, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Michael Turner, 35, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, entered his plea on February 5, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City. Turner’s arrest was connected to a shooting that occurred on March 8, 2024, in Fort Dodge.

According to court documents, Turner admitted to possessing a Glock .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol between March 1, 2024, and March 29, 2024. He was previously convicted of robbery/no firearm in Cook County, Illinois, in March 2011, and introduction of drugs into a detention facility in Webster County, Iowa, in 2017. These convictions made him a prohibited person from possessing a firearm.

On March 29, 2024, law enforcement stopped a vehicle in which Turner was a passenger and located the firearm under his seat. Turner was wearing a holster that fit the pistol and admitted to possessing it at various times in March 2024. He now faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

Turner remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The crime was committed in Fort Dodge, Iowa, a city with a population of over 25,000 people. Turner’s arrest and plea deal are a significant step towards addressing gun violence in the community. The case highlights the importance of enforcing laws and holding individuals accountable for their actions.

The case number is 24-3023. Readers can find more information on the case by visiting the official court file at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA for updates on this and other cases.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/fort-dodge-man-pleads-guilty-illegal-possession-firearm-0