Randall Lee Comly, Attempted Murder of Police, Iowa 2020

Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Shooting at Police

In a brazen attack, Randall Lee Comly, a 53-year-old resident of Stuart, Iowa, ambushed law enforcement officers who had arrived at his residence to arrest him on valid arrest warrants. On the night of October 17, 2019, officers from the Stuart Police and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office went to Comly’s residence to apprehend him for second-degree arson and a probation violation.

Comly, a multi-time convicted drug dealer, attempted to murder four law enforcement officers. He jumped out of a closet and emptied his gun by firing six rounds at a sheriff’s deputy who stood only a few feet away. During the resulting exchange of gunfire, two Sheriff’s deputies were shot. After the shooting, Comly barricaded himself inside the apartment and a hostage negotiation team was called. Comly eventually gave himself up and was arrested just before midnight.

A search of Comly’s residence revealed methamphetamine and items used in drug trafficking. Comly has a lengthy criminal history, including three prior felony drug trafficking convictions. He was serving a state term of probation when he attempted to murder the four officers on October 17, 2019. Based on Comly’s criminal history, the Court found him to be an armed career criminal.

On August 20, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Randall Lee Comly was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison following his guilty pleas to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.

Comly’s sentence is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect the community from violent criminals like Comly. In announcing the sentence, United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum said, “We thank and commend the law enforcement officers from the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office and the Stuart Police Department who in this case put their lives on the line to protect the people in their community from a violent criminal. Randall Comly tried to murder those officers. He tried to take husbands away from their wives, and fathers away from their children so that he could escape justice. Justice was delivered today in federal court, and we are grateful.”

The investigation was spearheaded by the ATF. Investigative support was provided by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Stuart Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, with assistance from the Adair County Attorney’s Office.

Defendant: Randall Lee Comly, Exact criminal charges: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm, City and state: Stuart, Iowa, Exact date: October 17, 2019, Sentence or outcome: 40 years in federal prison, fine: Not applicable, dollar amounts: Not applicable.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/man-sentenced-40-years-prison-shooting-police