Thorne Sentenced to 21 Years

A Mason City man has been sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Billy Douglas Thorne, 58, received the prison term after an April 17, 2014, jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

The evidence at trial showed that on July 24, 2012, Thorne traded his dog for a .22 caliber rifle which he intended to use to shoot his son. Fearing that police would arrive and find the gun in his residence, Thorne had others hide the gun in a Mason City park. After Thorne was arrested on harassment charges, the gun was turned over to the police.

Thorne had previously been convicted in 1997 in the State of Florida of five counts of Burglary of a Dwelling and one count of Armed Burglary, all felony offenses. These prior convictions led to Thorne being classified as an Armed Career Criminal, resulting in a more severe sentence.

Thorne was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. He was sentenced to 262 months’ imprisonment, a special assessment of $100, and a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system, and Thorne is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Ankeny Police Department, and the Mason City Police Department. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, with the case file number being 13-CR-3052.

This sentence serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of possessing a firearm as a felon. The federal system has zero tolerance for such crimes, and those found guilty can expect lengthy prison sentences. The investigation and prosecution of Thorne’s case demonstrate the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat gun crime and keep communities safe.

In a statement, the Department of Justice emphasized the importance of enforcing federal firearms laws to prevent violent crime. The sentencing of Billy Douglas Thorne is a testament to the commitment of law enforcement agencies to holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring public safety.