Fort Dodge Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms

Press Release

Previously convicted of felony Burglary in 2009 and felony Theft in 2018

A man who illegally possessed firearms was sentenced on September 20, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City.

Matthew Knowles, 38, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, pled guilty on May 3, 2024, to possessing a .380 ACP pistol, and a .410-gauge shotgun on November 10, 2022, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. As part of an investigation of stolen property, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Knowles' residence. There, officers recovered thousands of dollars of stolen tools, the two firearms, and controlled substances. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Knowles was a user of methamphetamine, marijuana, and was a felon when he possessed the firearms. As a felon and drug user, Knowles was prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Knowles was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment and must serve a two year term of supervised release after the term of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Knowles remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Webster County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.

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

The case file number is 23-3039.

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Updated September 20, 2024