North Iowa Domestic Abuser, Drug User Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm
A north Iowa man will serve almost five years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings in federal court in Sioux City showed that 29-year-old Brandon Mitchell of Mason City had two prior convictions for domestic violence in Cerro Gordo County. Mitchell was also an unlawful user of marijuana, with those convictions preventing him from legally possessing firearms.
On February 24th, Mitchell possessed a 9mm pistol, while he was under state felony indictment for attempted murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm by a domestic abuser. Mitchell also admitted that, during a search of his residence, he discarded the pistol out a bedroom window trying to avoid being found with the firearm.
Mitchell entered a guilty plea in April and last Thursday (12.18), United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Mitchell to 57 months in federal prison. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release following prison.
He remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and Mason City Police Department.
