Sioux City Man Sentenced To Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

A Sioux City man who previously served time for distribution of cocaine was sentenced today to more than four years in federal prison.

Jerry Wilson, age 62, from Sioux City, received the prison term after a February 23, 2024, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon and drug user.

Evidence in the case revealed that on September 20, 2023, Wilson was stopped for traffic violations, and was also found to have a suspended license.  As the officer approached, Wilson immediately became apprehensive and argumentative.  The officer noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and asked the occupants to step out.  Upon search of the vehicle, officers located the keys in the ignition had a container attached which contained approximately 2 grams of a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine.  Officers also located a box in the center console, containing a THC vape pen and a contained with approximately 1 gram of a white crystal substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine.  In the glove box was another THC vape pen. Under the driver’s seat, officers located a revolver.  Prior to transporting Wilson to the jail, officers searched Wilsons’ person and also located a pill bottle in Wilson’s jacket that contained 21 fentanyl pills, disguised as oxycodone, 18 individual baggies  containing methamphetamine, and 2 baggies containing cocaine.

Wilson has an extensive criminal history including delivery of controlled substance, pimping and pandering, possession of cocaine and carrying weapons, possession of a weapon by a felon, as well as a previous federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Wilson was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 51 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.           

Wilson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. 

The case file number is 23-4075.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.