WATERLOO, IA – Daijon Stokes, 32, of Waterloo, Iowa, is facing nearly nine years behind bars after a reckless flight from police culminated in a crash and the discovery of a loaded handgun, marijuana, and other drugs. Stokes was sentenced today in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.
The incident unfolded on December 3, 2023, when a Waterloo Police Department officer attempted to stop Stokes. Instead of complying, Stokes floored it, leading officers on a dangerous pursuit through a residential neighborhood. Reaching speeds of nearly 90 mph, Stokes ultimately lost control and slammed into another vehicle occupied by a woman and two young children – thankfully, injuries weren’t immediately reported as severe.
Stokes didn’t stick around to face the consequences. He bailed from the car and attempted to flee on foot, but officers quickly tackled him. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun, along with marijuana and other narcotics. Stokes ultimately pleaded guilty on February 10, 2025, to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Chief Judge Williams handed down a 104-month prison sentence – nearly nine years. Following his release, Stokes will be subject to a three-year term of supervised release. Unlike state systems, there is no parole in the federal system, meaning Stokes will serve his full sentence.
This case is a key component of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative uniting law enforcement at all levels with local communities to combat violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, prioritizing community trust, violence prevention, focused enforcement, and measurable results.
Stokes remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service while awaiting transport to a designated federal prison. The investigation and prosecution were a collaborative effort led by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and a Federal Task Force comprised of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, with support from the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department. Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, case file number 24-cr-2012. Follow the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on X at @USAO_NDIA.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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