CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Rosnel Larose, 32, of Dubuque, will spend the next eight years behind bars after admitting he illegally possessed a handgun despite a rap sheet stretching back years. Larose was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court, facing the consequences for a crime that puts dangerous weapons in the hands of those already deemed unfit to wield them.
According to court documents, Larose had already been convicted of eleven felonies when he was found with the pistol in January 2022. The specifics of those prior convictions weren’t detailed in the Department of Justice release, but the sheer number paints a picture of a repeat offender who clearly disregarded the law. He pleaded guilty in June to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that carries a significant penalty.
U.S. District Court Judge C.J. Williams handed down the 96-month sentence, sending a clear message that such offenses won’t be tolerated. Larose will also be subject to a three-year term of supervised release after his prison stint, though the federal system doesn’t offer parole. He’ll serve the full eight years, then be monitored upon re-entry into society.
Federal authorities framed the case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. PSN relies on collaboration between various law enforcement agencies and community organizations to identify and address the root causes of violence. While the program’s effectiveness is often debated, it’s clear the DOJ is using Larose’s conviction as a showcase for their efforts.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Dubuque Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Tremmel prosecuted the case, building a solid argument that led to Larose’s guilty plea and subsequent sentencing. Court file information, including case number CR 22-1044, is publicly accessible on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa’s electronic filing system.
Larose’s case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against gun violence and the consequences faced by those who choose to break the law. With a history of felony convictions, Larose demonstrated a disregard for public safety, and the court’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions. The ATF’s Kansas City Field Division oversaw the investigation.
Related Federal Cases
- Justin Coleman, Felon with Firearm, Omaha NE, 2023 · Kansas
- Khamdeng Sam Phanthourath, Firearm Hoarding, Michigan 2024 · Illinois
- Derek Barbour, Addict with Firearm, Omaha NE, 2023 · Kansas
- Harris Ceaser III, Possession of Firearm as Felon, St. Louis MO, 2014 · Kansas
- Donte Timothy Bacon, Gun Trafficking, Michigan 2024 · Illinois
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