Manaen Rave, a 27-year-old from Sioux City, pleaded guilty on June 1 to two counts of interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon in federal court in Sioux City.
According to the plea agreement and statements made at the change of plea hearing, Rave admitted that on February 16, 2025, he carjacked a vehicle by pistol whipping his victim in the head with a .22 revolver. The victim required treatment at a hospital. Eleven days later, on or about February 27, 2025, Rave stole another vehicle at a gas station parking lot, leaving the victim without transportation to work.
Rave transported both stolen vehicles between Iowa and Nebraska. He attempted to evade law enforcement by hiding inside a closet but was located and arrested by a combined Special Weapons and Tactics Team. Authorities noted that Rave has an extensive criminal history including drug offenses, assault, and theft convictions.
Sentencing will be scheduled after preparation of a presentence report before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Rave remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. He faces up to life imprisonment, up to $250,000 in fines, and three years supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by several agencies including Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department; Sioux City Police Department; Sgt. Bluff Iowa Police Department; Sgt. Bluff Fire & Rescue; Dakota County Nebraska Sheriff’s Department; Iowa Department of Transportation; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa covers 52 counties across more than 25,120 square miles in northern Iowa with over 60 employees—including more than 20 assistant U.S. attorneys—and advocates for the rights of approximately 1.3 million Iowans while prosecuting federal crimes as part of the U.S. Department of Justice, according to its official website.