Waterloo’s LaDonna Henderson, 28, was handed down a 37-month federal prison sentence on July 28, 2025, for her role in straw purchasing at least nine firearms. The investigation revealed that Henderson, who pleaded guilty to eight counts of false statement and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, attempted to buy a tenth firearm within six weeks in 2023.
Henderson’s fraudulent activities included lying about her drug use and the true purchaser of the firearms. These guns were funneled to her boyfriend, Christopher Hoover, a known felon and drug user who trafficked some of them. Four of the nine firearms Henderson bought were retrieved by law enforcement from felons or drug users.
Hoover faced his own 93-month sentence for firearm possession on September 17, 2024, while other straw purchasers associated with the case received prison terms as well, including Jayquine Steele at 57 months, Jeremy Phillips at 57 months, Patrelle Green-Bowman at 105 months, and Walter Smith at 37 months.
Chief Judge C.J. Williams of the United States District Court in Cedar Rapids oversaw Henderson’s sentencing. She is also subject to a three-year term of supervised release following her prison term. There is no parole available within the federal system.
Henderson was released on bond prior to her surrender date, which has not yet been determined. Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist prosecuted the case, which involved a Federal Task Force composed of local and federal law enforcement agencies including the Waterloo Police Department, FBI, BATF, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, and Cedar Falls Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a strategy to reduce violent crime and gun violence. For further court information, visit https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Case file number: 23-CR-2067. Follow @USAO_NDIA for updates.
Related Federal Cases
- Waterloo Man Pleads Guilty To Child Porn Distribution · Iowa
- Waterloo Shooter Pleads Guilty To Gun, Drug Charges · Iowa
- Waterloo Chef Guilty of Illegal Alien Harbor · Iowa
- Des Moines Felon Delvonn Battle Sentenced to 10 Years for Waterloo Firearm Possession · Iowa
- Waterloo Felon Sentenced to Four Years for Illegal Gun Possession · Iowa
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News